Church with Charlie...

Yesterday I was walking in to church and heading to my usual seat. 

I sit in the front row next to Crocker. It helps me pay attention and it reminds me to pray for him and the worship team...if the truth be told....it also offers me a nice location if there are witty comments that need to be made before, during or after his sermon.

However, yesterday morning I was stopped by a little bitty man, who patted the seat next to him...as he proclaimed..."DEVVI! Sit. Right. Here!"

As you may recall....previously on the adventures of Sir Charles, he was "puttin' his baptize on."

Fast forward to a year later.....The boy has taken to "Puttin' on The Word".

I get pics of Charlie "studying" often...

so you can imagine my anticipation of joining him in worship. 

This is not what I pictured.

He settled in to watch some Donald Duck-

and strapped on some headphones to drown out Darrell.

 

He chomped on a bacon & egg taco and washed it down with my Diet Coke- 

At the end of the service he handed me these....

 

 I would love to tell you he took copious notes on Crocker's sermon.

He did not. 

However, he did write me "some notes and he end them with a cross."

It struck me...God can get my attention no matter where I sit.

Whether it looks like I am intently listening to the sermon or Donald Duck.

He can and will, do the same for you as well.

Just look for Him.

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." ~Jeremiah 29:13

Everything is anchored in The Cross. 

Charlie gets it.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child 

is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" ~Matthew 18:4

God, Thank You for reaching me through a little boy in headphones seeming not to pay attention. What matters is that YOU are.

In His Dust,

DCC

God's Plans...

As we walked up to church yesterday am....

we were greeted by a family of hungry and tired looking folks. 

They held a sign asking for help and food. 

At first I thought I was being Jesus Juked .

Would I stop? Would anyone? 

Was this McNitzky in disguise?

 There was a little boy with them, sitting on the "flicking his Bic" as he looked at the people. 

Yes- that was happening. 

Were they scammers? Who knows.

Did it matter? Not to me.

They didn't speak English- so I am not sure what all they understood as people walked by. 

I just pray they left here with the understanding that we wanted them to live the life God intended for them to live.

God doesn't intend for them to be hungry.

God doesn't intend for them to be tired.

God doesn't intend for them to be sad or hopeless.

He wants more for them than a bag full of grape jelly, Mac and Cheese.

He wants the same things for you.

And for me. 

Not just the "houseless" and down trodden. 

If you are reading this in your million dollar home- or sitting on a bus bench...

you have something in common.

God promises you both, the very same thing.

God has great plans for you 

He promises that He has plans for you.

He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. 

Plans to give you hope and a future.

We all need these plans. Not one class over the other. 

Thank You God for your plans you have for each and every one of us.  

In His Dust,

DCC

Sweet Baby Jesus....

Sweet. Baby. Jesus.

Alarm clocks a rude awakening this am?

Temps a little nippy for ya? 

Does it help that we are all in this together? Yeah, me neither.

Did you spend energy you barely had- wrangling kids into big sweaters and puffy coats- wondering how on earth you were gonna make it all the way to summer? 

Did you make this for their precious little lunches

to remind them of the reason for the season.

At this point....I need you to stop and pay attention to what is above.

And then....I need you to not ever make this for your child.

Anywhoski....Back to The Baby.....

I am sure most of us have put Him back in the box until next December.

And while I commend you for getting your trees down and decorations put up.

I challenge us all to remember He didn't come just for December.

He wants out of "the box" I put Him in.

God Himself, saw our hopelessness and sent His Hope to live among us.

On "It's soooo early for an alarm clock" days.

On "I am soooo overwhelmed I'll never get this done" days.

On "I am so ready to get back in my warm bed" days.

On "I miss Christmas vacation" days.

He is no longer in the manger. 

He is with you. 

Wherever you find yourself at this very moment.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His Shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, 

The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." ~Isaiah 9:6

God, Thank You for getting out of the manger to be among each and every one of us.

In His Dust,

DCC