Blanche

Sunday morning. Short scuffing sounds of a forward motioning walkers. If you're not careful, you could be trampled and very slowly killed by anyone of our senior saints in their attempt to find their Sunday morning pew. "Death by walker" not good. However, Blanche, with her limited sight, finds time to "see" people around her. She has such a calming voice when she speaks, you know you are in the presence of a true saint. She would never say that about herself... that's why I'm here. Blanche is a beautiful daughter of God. I struggle for words to share, because... how do you write BEAUTY? A few weeks ago, during worship service, I turned to look around at those gathered and saw Blanche. It was like a light opened from heaven and I saw this little woman with her eyes closed, her hands together yet lifted up... both giving and receiving praise. As she sang, I wanted so badly to move next to her, to "see" what she was seeing. Although a brief moment, it was one of the best worships I've ever been a part of. I am a fool for not spending more weekdays with her. To hear her share of her childhood, is a pleasant trip to a time more simple and less distracting than today. They are stories of places I would like to find for my children and their children. Yet, in all her wisdom and grace, I also love her spice. She will tell you only truth. Like it or not. Bold and honest. As the weeks go by I see her body grow more frail... However, as the weeks go by, I see her Spirit grow stronger. The words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled in her... Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Amen~ johno

Adam

Adam technically means, "Dirt Man" I have another theory on the meaning however... Grace. It took grace from the Creator to do something of which he knew would cause Him pain. Yet, He did it anyway. God created man... In His own image. My Adam is a reminder to me of God's grace. A friend of ours gave us a drawing of Jesus and a lamb. It hangs on the wall near Adams bed. When he wakes from a nap or is startled and starts to cry, I go into his room and pick him up and hold him close. As I hold my son, I turn to see the drawing on the wall and I'm reminded of a Fathers love for His children. Jesus says, "If you've seen me, then you've seen the Father." As Adam lays his head on my shoulder and I embrace him, I see the image of Jesus embracing the little lamb. It's there I catch a glimpse of grace. God want's to embrace me like I embrace my son. Adam is growing well, although he is still under 20 pounds at 20 Months. He love to call out to his "brodher," (Caleb) "sissy," (Miriam) and "Nannah." (Hannah) Oh, and Tanner our dog, which sounds a lot like "Nannah" We can only tell the difference because of the "woof" that comes at the end. He's good at throwing baby tantrums... Although they come mostly when he's ready for nap time. He has learned the words, "PLEASE!" when he wants something and "MINE!" when he wants something. At the dinner table he bows his head and says "AMEN!" He's not a perfect child, but he's mine. I'm so blessed to have Adam. If he was lost, I would give anything and everything to have him back. An interesting thought (for me) from someone created in the image of God... Because of Adam the Love of a Father looks very different to me today and forever. Isaiah 43 (The Message) But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. "So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I'll send orders north and south: 'Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.'" I love him peace. johno~

My friend Donna

There's a few people in my life I've come across that leave me saying, "when I grow up, I want to be like them." Take a look at this picture of my friend Donna. Well? A pictures worth a thousand words and if you can't see them here, don't you wish you could? When I first met Donna, it was during church. She sits towards the back, (a place notorious for trouble makers) and as church began we had just started our conversation. Being in the back too and trying to make friends with this spicy little old lady, I said, "I have good ears for piercing... Do you think i should get my ears pierced or get a tattoo?" (side note... my wife would allow neither) I like to push buttons sometimes and my attempt with such a harsh suggestion in my attempt to raise an eyebrow backfired. Donna responded, "Well, I got a tattoo. I love bluebirds and I wanted a little bluebird on my on my forearm so I could look at one everyday... See?" There it was, a little bluebird painted on the inside of her forearm. All I could think is, "I want to party with you." Her smile never faded and I realized i was in the presence of a very joyful woman. Her life, however, has had many difficult times. Catching up for lost time? I'm not sure, but her past roads have been tough. You would never know looking at her today. You would also never know by looking at her today that her body is fighting a losing battle with cancer. She still glows with a beauty that refuses to give in to the terrible destruction within her. She lives in Christ. Death has no sting and death has no victory. What a wonderful thing. For today, I am thankful for the conversation we share and I look forward to an eternity of sharing. When I grow up, I want to have a piece of Donna's spirit... I think I already do. peace. johno~

Wheels

5:30 AM. Coffee time with Don is one of the best parts of my week. He is one of my accountability team mates and a good friend. He has a wonderful ability to be shaped by the cross. When he prays for rain during a dry season, he carries an umbrella. He leads his family as an honest man, a godly man and it shows. They are a blessing to those around them. They follow his lead and are servants. Having survived cancer, Don looks at life with a different set of lenses and the world will be a better place because he stops and notices even the little things. He knows his place and he knows his time. He is in a race to live life to the fullest and he wants to take as many people along as he can. The only thing that really bugs me about him is this... He knows where to find great bird shots. Share the love. ;-) If I could attach a psalm to this man it would be this one found in Psalm 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. peace. johno~

Brother

When push comes to shove, there are a few people you want on your side to watch your back. Darren is that kind of man who you want. I've learned a lot from him. I now own many "little man" tools thanks to the encouragement of Darren telling me I can do it. I have little man stuff, because Darren is the MAN. However, it is not his tools that make him the man, though we joke often. It is his heart of a servant. If anyone thinks they can do it... Darren does it. He uses his gifts for so many others. His heart is a childs heart. He plays like a kid... BIG KID. Yet, his thoughts and heart show years of wisdom beyond his age. I am glad to have this man as a brother in Christ. What a wonderful glimps of what eternity will be with brothers like Darren. peace. johno~