Like it or not.....
We were all orphans.
All alone...no names...no hope and no futures.
Were it not for our adoption as God’s children, we would have no place to belong.
We sometimes forget that.
Hmmm...I wonder if THAT is what Willis was talkin' 'bout?
God, Thank You, for taking us in, giving us a hope and a future.
In His Dust,
DCC
All of this translates to one thing...and it ain't being busy.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." 
So, when we look in the mirror or see someone else, with that black smudge on the forehead, we should all be reminded that, no matter what, we are still sinners in need of grace and forgiveness.
Apparently, alot.
It is Monday...my brain is fried...my nerves are shot and my patience is way passed long gone and quite frankly I was still reeling from some very hurt feelings over the weekend. I have spent 2 days on and off at The Apple Store, transferring data...and today about 2 hours on the phone with my new BFF from the Philippines. What is her name you ask? No clue.
She told me about 5 times....but it did not resemble anything remotely that I was able to understand enough to repeat.
However, then God entered our frustrating conversation.
Her: You work for church?
Me: Yes, Ma'am...I am in ministry and love it.
Her: You like a Christian person?
ME: Yes, Ma'am, I am.
Her: We the same people. I am what you call Christian person too.
Me: Wow- that is great to hear. Do you have a church in the Phillipines?
Her: I have church, it like Baptist and Pentecostal. I like music. I sing and they call me, how you say....worship leader.
Me: That is really cool. You are a true blessing to me right now. What music do you like?
Her: I like music...like songs.
Me: Yes, Songs are definetly one of my favorite kinds of music. Who do you listen to?
Her: I like Hillsongs.
Me: I like them very much. I used to love the song "Yes and Amen", (which I sang a part of to her....please rest assured she wanted to hang up the phone at this point, but I was paying for technical support, so she was trapped.
*At this point she began sharing with me some of her personal struggles and desires, which amazingly were similar to many of mine.
Her: Miss Debbi, Do you know I trust God with my life because He say in His Bible, "He has plans, not bad, but good -they are for me."
Me: With tears in my eyes, I quickly realized, this call was more than technical....it was a Divine appointment. I knew immediately the verse she spoke of was Jeremiah 29:11....which is the verse of my life. I told her That I believed God orchestrated this very moment and conversation. It was something we both needed to hear.
She invited me to the Phillipines and asked if she could come to Texas to ride a horse with me.
I said Yes, and Amen.
God, Your timing and ability to make yourself known is impeccable. I was tired, frustrated and broken hearted today...and there You were, in the least of expected places. Thank you and I love You.
In His Dust,
DCC
all put on "pause" until the great white blanket is lifted.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; 
in modern terms...
The phrase "white as snow" appears several times in the Bible, but Isaiah's line is the most famous, and furthermore he is the first to actually say "white as snow" in Hebrew. Isaiah refers, of course, to purity and innocence, which he compares to the spotless whiteness of wool. 
As pure and beautiful as the snow looks...God's mercy and forgiveness is even brighter, whiter and more encompassing.
God, Thank You for the huge reminders you put before our very eyes.
In His Dust,
DCC
My good buddy Mikey moseyed on over 
Big Mike D, far right, sizing up the competition...
running like the wind to get the heck outta dodge...
The Cowboy rides away....taking with him
the Mother of all trophies...
Super Bowl Sunday.....
sitting by the fire, in big sweaters, cowboy boots and jeans...
suddenly becoming advertising experts...and arm chair quarterbacks
alongside good friends, good food and cold beer....
Thank You God, for community...and the time to just sit and "be" together.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
In His Dust,
DCC
James and Carole... (Who are going on tour together again)
for the record- James Taylor's "cool" factor- is permanent and never changing.
