Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 107 (New International Version)


1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south. [a]

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.

6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.

8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,

9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.

15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,

16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.

17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.

33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.

37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;

38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.

42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
and consider the great love of the LORD.

"Walking with God"

“In the beginning of our story, before the fall of the human race, before we sent the world spinning off its axis- there was a garden called, Eden. And in that garden, the first man and the first woman had a life we have all been looking for ever since. They walked with God, communicated with him directly: For this we were made. And this we MUST recover. Intimacy with God is the purpose of our lives. It’s why God created us.” (Walking with God by John Eldredge).


I haven’t read a really good book for a while. Haven’t had a lot of time to, but even when I did have time to read, the books weren’t really “speaking” to me. Recently, I went to a bookstore and walked in with a feeling of wanting to find a book that would help me with hearing God speak. I looked in one section to find a group of popular sellers. I pulled one off the shelf. It was about hearing God and using the gift of prophecy. Not what I had in mind. I kept looking and found “Walking with God” by John Eldredge.

All I can say is, Wow! If you want a more intimate relationship with the One who wants to be your best friend and to talk to you…check this book out. It’s really good.

Dutch Oven Surprise

We recently went for a hike at a state park here in Texas. Just as we got there, we stumbled upon a group of people. An aroma of home cooked food surrounded their site. The signs hanging around and logos embroidered on their aprons let us know they were the “Dutch Oven Society” of Texas. Apparently, once a month they get together for a potluck dinner and fellowship. Yes…there is actually a society for people with a passion for cooking with Dutch Ovens…amazing....I know.

We walked around the site to just take it all in. Camp site grills and Dutch oven galore…RVs were everywhere. While we were walking, a couple approached us to say hello and to invite us to the meal. We politely declined and explained we had only come to the park to hike. Soon another couple came up and invited us to stay. Again we declined. Soon more people came up as we were walking away and asked us to stay. We had no choice but to give into the friendliness. How could we say no to these sweet people who seemed so happy, kind, and eager for us to eat their food?!

Oh the amount of food! (All cooked in Dutch Ovens on camp fire coals) It was actually pretty good too. However, the conversation and people were even better. We were invited to sit with three other couples that were a part of the Dutch Oven Society. We not only learned about the couples in the group and about the group, but also learned about cooking and eating the perfect mountain oyster. To be really honest, I never wanted to know that information. If you don’t know what a mountain oyster is, don’t ask…you don’t want to know. The stories made us laugh as we enjoyed our meal together. The people were precious.

Afterwards, I got to thinking. If we Christians were half as passionate about our faith as these people were about Dutch Oven cooking, we could really reach more people. If we were as warm, friendly, giving, and eager to feed and befriend, maybe the church would be more packed on Sunday morning. If we didn’t take no for an answer, and insisted we gave to someone without expecting something in return (especially to complete strangers), imagine how our family would grow!

I learned a lot from that Dutch Oven meal. A little surprise for me that day. I went for a hike expecting to see the beauty in nature on that crisp fall day, and I did. However, I saw even more beauty in the kindness and passion of strangers who wanted to share a meal with a couple they didn’t even know. Perfect example of how we should reach out to others and show the love of Christ.

As the deer pants for streams of water...

At times I get so busy with the details of the everyday routine, I forget to look at the beauty around me. Every once in a while I take a break and try to enjoy the beauty God has given us that most days we all take for granted.

On a recent hike at a state park in Illinois, I snapped a few pictures of the scenes around me. Wow. The colors so abundant, the freshly fallen leaves on the path looked like streets of gold in a way. The paths looked paved in color and prepared for just my feet. Only God could create such a picture. Only His hands could arrange the sights, the cool breeze, and the fresh air on a crisp fall day. For a moment, I wasn’t thinking about my to-do list or even where the hour hand on my watch was. In that moment I was thankful for a God that is the master of masterpieces. No other artist can paint a picture that captures all the senses as He does. Taking time to enjoy it is what He wants us to do. It helps us to grow closer to Him and to appreciate His work.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42: 1-2)

Big Tex

I’ve done and seen a lot of new things in the past few months. Recently, I made the Mecca like journey for every Texan to the Texas State Fair. The fair was a big event. Then again, everything in Texas is big, right? One thing the fair is known for is the fried food. Every year, a new fried item is introduced and announced the contest winner for the year. This year was fried butter. Sounds terrible. No doubt is terrible for your arteries, but I figured one bite wouldn’t hurt me. After all, the fair is only once a year.

Shockingly enough, the fried butter was really good. Here’s the deal: You take a lump of frozen butter, put some batter on it, deep fry it, and serve. The result is a biscuit like doughnut bite of buttery heaven with a little powdered sugar on top. Nice.

I’ve been making a conscious effort to eat healthier. (Obviously after reading about my food choice above!) In the last three weeks, I have had no pop/soda. I’ve been eating smaller portions and been making healthier choices. Maybe that change in my habits made the menu items stand out to me so much at the fair. Here is a list of a few of the fried items they offer:

Fried Ice Cream
Fried PB, Jelly and Banana Sandwich
Fried Coke
Fried Praline Perfection
Deep Fried Latte
Fried Cookie Dough
Fried Banana Split
Chicken Fried Bacon
Deep Fried Butter
Deep Fried Peaches & Cream
Fried Snickers
Fried Twinkie
Fried Peanut Butter Cup
Fried Cheesecake
Fried Smores

I’m proud to say out of all of these choices, I had only one bite of fried butter. That’s pretty good by most fair patron standards. All in all, it was a fun night. We were greeted with a good ole “Howdy” from Big Tex who stands tall each year and greets each fair visitor. We rode the Ferris Wheel that glides 212 feet high in the air to overlook the skyline of Dallas. My husband tried to win me a stuffed animal at an impossible to win game. We ate a bit of fried food, and of course we had the traditional Corn Dog from the fair vendors.

It was a nice end to my first summer in Texas. Now, on to the next adventure and new experience.

Autistic Basketball Player

In the storybooks, there are always happy endings. Do you remember hearing a story as a child and feeling that all was right in the world from getting caught up in the feel good moment of the fairytale? As adults, those moments are few and far between it seems. Even watching the news can be a downer in these times. Economic hardships, war, and violence are being reported at each newscast every night. There actually are stories of good out there. There are stories of answered prayers and miracles happening each day. When I hear them, I slip back into that child like state of, even just for a second, feeling all is right in the world.

Here is a story that did it for me recently. I hope it puts a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. The prayer of a coach, the dream of a special needs child, and the God of the universe reaching down for a moment to remind us He cares, He hears, and He answers.

Purpose For Your Life

“We also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11


I remember as a child hearing people talking about getting a “calling.” Mainly, I remember it in regards to someone talking about how they became a Pastor. “When I got the call…” they would say. As a child, I remember wondering if the phone rang in their moment of getting “the call.” I didn’t really get it. To be honest, it would be much later in my life that I would truly understand what that really meant.

As I got older, I gained a new understanding to what it meant. My take on it was that it meant you figured out what you were to do with your career. At one time I was set on becoming an audiologist. I felt I was getting a calling to test hearing and to work with ears. I was getting closer.

Years later, I now sit and reflect on what a calling really is and feel like I finally have a grip on what it means. Henry Blackaby writes, “God initiates our calling and reveals it to us through His Holy Spirit. His Spirit then guides and empowers as we serve God not only in our vocation but also by participating in His kingdom work. God has a purpose for your life, and it involves far more than earning a living.”

In my mid twenties, my relationship with Christ changed. It blossomed and took on a deep and meaningful level I can’t describe. In the beginning of this season, I started to hear the phone ring. One day I picked it up. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to minister to orphans in a country I knew nothing about. As I sat on the plane departing the US, I wondered if I should have let my machine pick up the call.

Today, I’m thankful I answered it. My calling is to serve (specifically to “the least of these” talked about in Matthew 25). How do I know? Because it is there that I find Him. It is there that I see Him. It is there that I know I am right where I am supposed to be and in His kingdom work. What about you? Have you answered the phone yet? God DOES have a purpose for your life far greater than earning a living. What is it? Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will open. Take a deep breath, and answer the phone.