Thursday, December 31, 2015
Onnuri After School program
Testimonial from Glenn Inn
We had our church bazaar today to raise funds for our short term missions.
Guess who came to visit … none other that Francisco, the young boy who started with our La Vida Ninos program and had such severe ADD that he couldn't sit still for more than 30 seconds.
After the first 12 week session, Francisco was able to sit and focus on homework for 15 minutes. He dropped out of the program not because he wanted to, but because his sister didn't like coming to do homework. I haven't seen Francisco for 1.5 years. I am so proud of him he's growing up well, thriving after the 1.5 yrs of time with our program.
~ Glenn Inn
~ Glenn Inn
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| Glenn Inn and Francisco at Church Bazaaar. |
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Beethoven. Listening to Greatness
Many of us may have learned about the famous Fifth Symphony. I am in the process of listening to Ludwigs complete works via amazon music on my ipad. This may take some time as there are at least 372 works!
I put my head back and listen. This is indeed restful as music bypasses all the chatter that we hear. Instead we hear cadences, cords, and I must say soul. Because when I want an infusion of inspiration I find that listening to greatness helps. It is like seeing the Olympics. People do the most amazing feats in what appears to be effortless grace.
And so it is with great music that is perfected by those who have laboured to get it right. We don't see the hours of putting down the notes with a quill pen, or the years of practice of the performers before the greatness of the music is translated down to us.
WHAT WE HEAR IS EFFORTLESS GREATNESS. I find myself waving a baton in the air. I want to enter into this in some way. So it is with greatness in any area. We recognize it when we see it or hear it. Greatness lifts us. It takes is out of the ordinary to another place where we can sore.
We all have a few moments of inspiration in life when we touch what we are supposed to be or do. Never forget that these are divine moments and take time to reignite what you heard or saw in that place.
Get still and let inspiration lead you where you must go!
Thanksgiving Blog
It really is a good thing to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving focuses us on what we have been given. We thank God for shelter, food in our homes, cars, friends, special moments we have had during the past year.
Thanksgiving is not just individual but Thanksgiving Day is a chance for us to give thanks to God for living in America. We have been showered with opportunities to learn, to move ahead. We have had values instilled in us by our churches, families and mentors. We have a large grand land with mountains, plains, lakes and oceans.
As we sit down at our Thanksgiving Dinner we think of all the food blessings. This Thanksgiving I have been particularly thankful for the heritage of sharing food via local food banks and other non profits who provide help for those who struggle with hunger. As we get a heart of real Thanksgiving we want to reach out and share, not because it is expected, but because we want to express our love to God and what has been given to us by expressing our feelings in action. Some of you may go down and serve a meal for the homeless. That is a good thing to do.
If we can keep our head and our heart on being thankful, we will experience joy in the midst of all the business this season brings.
Thanksgiving isn't just a national holiday it is a very real remedy to get us in tune with the God who so richly provides all things for us!
Thanksgiving is not just individual but Thanksgiving Day is a chance for us to give thanks to God for living in America. We have been showered with opportunities to learn, to move ahead. We have had values instilled in us by our churches, families and mentors. We have a large grand land with mountains, plains, lakes and oceans.
As we sit down at our Thanksgiving Dinner we think of all the food blessings. This Thanksgiving I have been particularly thankful for the heritage of sharing food via local food banks and other non profits who provide help for those who struggle with hunger. As we get a heart of real Thanksgiving we want to reach out and share, not because it is expected, but because we want to express our love to God and what has been given to us by expressing our feelings in action. Some of you may go down and serve a meal for the homeless. That is a good thing to do.
If we can keep our head and our heart on being thankful, we will experience joy in the midst of all the business this season brings.
Thanksgiving isn't just a national holiday it is a very real remedy to get us in tune with the God who so richly provides all things for us!
LET US GIVE THANKS WITH OUR WHOLE HEARTS!
Monday, October 5, 2015
Touchdown Camp is Special
What makes something unique? It can be an unique pairing. Here the cheerfulness of the daisy with the crunch of chips.
We are invited to sit down at this table and be part of something. Touchdown Kids camp is original because it involves children, adults, teenagers. It mixes those from different economic and church backgrounds. It invites to the table, pastors, and the very newest believer. It mixes the most serious message of salvation with the cheerfulness of games, clowns, silliness.
Camp reaches beyond all comfort zones. Shy children become bold. Teenagers forget themselves in serving. Invited speakers give time but receive unforgettable faces. Visitors go away amazed and challenged to try for an original mix where they live.
Grown ups find themselves laughing and lightening up as they see children loosed to really act like children. Freedom is in the air. Memories and friendships happen that make new friends out of strangers. Cheerfulness and very real work mingle together as comfortable partners.
Angels hover over the camp guarding the divine joy.
EHen
Sit Down With a Child
Yesterday I heard a report from an elementary school counsellor that there were children who weren't doing their homework because their parents were at work, and besides that, some of them had little education and so couldn't help their own children.
"The hours when kids get into trouble is after school until the parents get home." she said. This is the ideal time for a tutoring team, even two adults to jump start a simple program that can quite literally change the life of a child.
As an educator, I know that without the basics of reading and math in first through fourth grade, a child has little chance of success in school. There is a window of time. One hour of your time if you will give if, can make a huge difference!
Children need to have adult roll models. An adult who sits down with a few others either at your local school, church, or your home sends a message that these children are important and cared for!
I urge men, especially, who may have some flexibility in work days and hours to seriously consider the needs of your community and see what you can do. A first step might be to go talk to a school counselor at your local elementary school.
Look at the situation, analyze the problems there and start the ball rolling to save the children.
For those who do something in response to this call, I would appreciate hearing what God does through you! I believe the entire country in every city needs these efforts and if we all give an hour it will make a difference to us and to all our communities.
"The hours when kids get into trouble is after school until the parents get home." she said. This is the ideal time for a tutoring team, even two adults to jump start a simple program that can quite literally change the life of a child.
As an educator, I know that without the basics of reading and math in first through fourth grade, a child has little chance of success in school. There is a window of time. One hour of your time if you will give if, can make a huge difference!
Children need to have adult roll models. An adult who sits down with a few others either at your local school, church, or your home sends a message that these children are important and cared for!
I urge men, especially, who may have some flexibility in work days and hours to seriously consider the needs of your community and see what you can do. A first step might be to go talk to a school counselor at your local elementary school.
Look at the situation, analyze the problems there and start the ball rolling to save the children.
For those who do something in response to this call, I would appreciate hearing what God does through you! I believe the entire country in every city needs these efforts and if we all give an hour it will make a difference to us and to all our communities.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Lessons in Jelly Donuts
It has been years since I have enjoyed a jelly donut. It's not years since I've had any kind of donut. I like the cake donut of the lightly sugared donut. Jelly donuts I treat as a different kind of thing.
I put it on a plate and then cut it in two pieces, The gooey, red filling spreads over part of the plate. I ate the first half and my fingers got all sticky. It was a wonderful sticky that made me feel about 10 again. So, I ate the second half!
Now a child would never be so cautious as to put the donut on the plate and Cut it in half. A child would just shove as much as possible in her mouth and let the juice drip and ooze out wherever it wished.
Kids really enjoy food they like and I can tell you watching the kids eat at camp, we see the enjoyment. We don't serve donuts but they get fresh fruit, juice drinks, pizza and grilled chicken. Hungry children don't complain, they eat and when the call comes, for seconds...they leap for joy to get more. Get a little bit more like the child you were and let the jelly filling get you sticky with delight!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Love Takes Initiative
Today, I heard a wonderful, true story from one of our former tutors in Redwood City who moved to Florida. She is a single woman on very limited income who loves children. She found a very poor school in her area and was invited to tutor the students at no pay. Let's call this woman Sue. Sue has a way of listening to children's needs because she loves them.
A little girl that was working with Sue, told her that she had asked her parents for ballet lessons, and when Sue asked her student what happened, the little girl face got sad. Her parents couldn't afford lessons.
Sue took the initiative because she loved to dance and knew a place that taught kids dance. After she went in person to the leader of the program the girl was admitted to dance classes at no charge. Beyond that Sue found some used dance clothes and dance shoes that fit her little student.
How kind God is. He can look down and reach out a loving hand to help a little girl dance!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
One of my Favourite Things
Today I got to do one of my favorite things. I talked with another woman after an exercise class about considering tutoring someone. As we talked I realized she had a heart for children and she could probably be a leader in her new city where she and her husband are moving.
She has retired from her work but still wants to do something for others. I told her about an elder in a church where we have a tutoring program and how this elder had the vision of how the six year old boy because he had gotten one to one help would make it through high school.
"There are reasons why a child falls behind," my exercise friend J. told me, "Sometimes they don't get the basics because of a bad home situation like a divorce." These children are going to be behind grade level because they couldn't or would not learn for that period of time.
Whatever the reason an adult can set in motion a chance for this person to catch up and have a life.
We know that God is merciful. In fact HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING.
Were you ever in a position where you needed to learn a skill and someone took time to help you understand and perform it? I bet most of us can remember these people and name them because they cared enough to help us break through.
That is what tutoring programs can do. And because we have a church home in each city where we encourage the tutoring to take place, the church has a door to not only help the child but to plant seeds of truth and show love to the entire family.
The poor and needy know that they need help. We can learn from them as we who have been given so much reach out our hands. I hope to inspire people and especially to inspire people to help one child who is struggling.
Is giving vision and encouraging others to start a group one of my favourite things? Yes it is.
When you help a child, you have a chance to give that child a future and a hope. you only have time to give but what you impart can transform a child and his family.
Encourage hope. Fight for those who are helpless. You will be more than compensated for your efforts.
She has retired from her work but still wants to do something for others. I told her about an elder in a church where we have a tutoring program and how this elder had the vision of how the six year old boy because he had gotten one to one help would make it through high school.
"There are reasons why a child falls behind," my exercise friend J. told me, "Sometimes they don't get the basics because of a bad home situation like a divorce." These children are going to be behind grade level because they couldn't or would not learn for that period of time.
Whatever the reason an adult can set in motion a chance for this person to catch up and have a life.
We know that God is merciful. In fact HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING.
Were you ever in a position where you needed to learn a skill and someone took time to help you understand and perform it? I bet most of us can remember these people and name them because they cared enough to help us break through.
That is what tutoring programs can do. And because we have a church home in each city where we encourage the tutoring to take place, the church has a door to not only help the child but to plant seeds of truth and show love to the entire family.
The poor and needy know that they need help. We can learn from them as we who have been given so much reach out our hands. I hope to inspire people and especially to inspire people to help one child who is struggling.
Is giving vision and encouraging others to start a group one of my favourite things? Yes it is.
When you help a child, you have a chance to give that child a future and a hope. you only have time to give but what you impart can transform a child and his family.
Encourage hope. Fight for those who are helpless. You will be more than compensated for your efforts.
What Makes A Friend
Eloise Hardman was the first secretary of Project Lost Sheep. She came to the first meeting because I had been telling her of this group to help the children, but mainly she came because she was my friend although decades older.
In this era of instant communications I remember things about her for those who might want a real friend.
First, she had time for me. That might seem a strange thing to note but I remember sitting in her living room in Palo Alto and her sitting across from me not rushed. I had three young children and the delight of sitting with an adult who listened to me was wonderful.
A friend will listen. I bet I bored her at times, but she never bored me because she talked about books she had read, her bonsai, some of her adventures. She also asked and followed with real interest the progress of my children.
And so in the night of question, she became the first secretary of the board. "I can take minutes," she said, "but I don't do the computer." She was about 80 years old at the time. Here she was willing to do the job for a new group and be part of something new.
At her service in that same room a number of years later, there were around 50 people. I was astonished at how many friends she had made and maintained. She gave people her time and her attention and so she grew a garden of love around her.
In this era of instant communications I remember things about her for those who might want a real friend.
First, she had time for me. That might seem a strange thing to note but I remember sitting in her living room in Palo Alto and her sitting across from me not rushed. I had three young children and the delight of sitting with an adult who listened to me was wonderful.
 |
| Give the gift of time. |
A friend will listen. I bet I bored her at times, but she never bored me because she talked about books she had read, her bonsai, some of her adventures. She also asked and followed with real interest the progress of my children.
And so in the night of question, she became the first secretary of the board. "I can take minutes," she said, "but I don't do the computer." She was about 80 years old at the time. Here she was willing to do the job for a new group and be part of something new.
At her service in that same room a number of years later, there were around 50 people. I was astonished at how many friends she had made and maintained. She gave people her time and her attention and so she grew a garden of love around her.
Just Say "Hi"
Once I heard a very successful missionary talk. In fact he had the entire sermon to speak. Well, we expected something, but not what he told us.
First he was involved in getting youth in a local college interested in Christianity. He did this by going down to college at night and listening to them. Many of them were from other countries and he was interested in what is called cross cultural ministry. To succeed he had to be in their court and know what their issues were. In time there was a breakthrough.
He had a neighbor from a foreign country and the missionary went across the street. Later the man told him "you were the only one who came over." This man was humble about all his achievements.
"Take out a pen," he said with a lift to his voice, "and I will let you know my great secret."
Those who were dozing woke up and scrambled for iPhones or paper. He let us get ready, then he said with a twinkle and a wave. "You just go across the street and say "Hi" !
There was an a bit of disquiet in the listeners. Could it be that simple? Had we ever tried it? What about the person who hadn't said a word to us? What about cultural differences? What about age/sex differences.
It is very easy to be too polite to bother anyone. One day Jesus was sitting by a well thirsty. A Samaritan woman came with her bucket. He asked her for a drink. She was shocked because Jews did not speak to Samaritans. He proceeded anyway and those of you who know the story know what happened.....she discovered living water that satisfied her.
Jesus said "hi" by asking her for water!
A recent Barnard study has just reported that 95 percent of Christians today will go to their death without telling another about Jesus, The Lord. Don't complicate things or delegate to the clergy this job. Your job is to walk across the street and say HELLO!
First he was involved in getting youth in a local college interested in Christianity. He did this by going down to college at night and listening to them. Many of them were from other countries and he was interested in what is called cross cultural ministry. To succeed he had to be in their court and know what their issues were. In time there was a breakthrough.
He had a neighbor from a foreign country and the missionary went across the street. Later the man told him "you were the only one who came over." This man was humble about all his achievements.
"Take out a pen," he said with a lift to his voice, "and I will let you know my great secret."
Those who were dozing woke up and scrambled for iPhones or paper. He let us get ready, then he said with a twinkle and a wave. "You just go across the street and say "Hi" !
There was an a bit of disquiet in the listeners. Could it be that simple? Had we ever tried it? What about the person who hadn't said a word to us? What about cultural differences? What about age/sex differences.
It is very easy to be too polite to bother anyone. One day Jesus was sitting by a well thirsty. A Samaritan woman came with her bucket. He asked her for a drink. She was shocked because Jews did not speak to Samaritans. He proceeded anyway and those of you who know the story know what happened.....she discovered living water that satisfied her.
Jesus said "hi" by asking her for water!
A recent Barnard study has just reported that 95 percent of Christians today will go to their death without telling another about Jesus, The Lord. Don't complicate things or delegate to the clergy this job. Your job is to walk across the street and say HELLO!
Friday, May 8, 2015
Greatness and Singleness of Mind
Recently, I saw an older movie on the life of JS Bach. Although I have appreciated his music for years and I am writing and listening to him, I had no idea of his very difficult life.
The Lord Jesus, the Christ, had one purpose. That purpose was to please the Father and go do his will. His disciples couldn't understand when that purpose led him to go to the cross. He had to go alone because he knew he had to redeem the lost world back to the Father, and that way, was going to cost him his own life and his blood shed out for many.
What I continue to be amazed by is that part, means that once we accept the cross for ourselves as the way back to God, wonderful things happen to us. We start to belong to this Heavenly Father. We start to hunger to learn more from the Bible and we want to communicate via prayer. So we have new desires.
Orphaned young. A rather mean older brother. Various schools. Then marriage, children and the death of his young wife. Music was what he devoted himself to and especially composition. It seems to me that one of the qualities of greatness is a singleness of purpose no matter what the circumstances.
In picking a second wife, JS was careful to choose one who loved music and also supported him. Being a genius as he is, JS needed the person to believed in, listened to, and encouraged him. Because when he had a life directing purpose, only few people will be able to understand him.
The Lord Jesus, the Christ, had one purpose. That purpose was to please the Father and go do his will. His disciples couldn't understand when that purpose led him to go to the cross. He had to go alone because he knew he had to redeem the lost world back to the Father, and that way, was going to cost him his own life and his blood shed out for many.
What I continue to be amazed by is that part, means that once we accept the cross for ourselves as the way back to God, wonderful things happen to us. We start to belong to this Heavenly Father. We start to hunger to learn more from the Bible and we want to communicate via prayer. So we have new desires.
I trust that some of you who recently have accepted the Savior's death on the cross may be experiencing these new holy desires. That is good news for you have something inside you that will change you into the person God intended you to be. God will work with you through the years to discard old purposes that you thought were your life.
As you let these go and stay close to the Lord he will show you who you are and what He has planned for you to do.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Remember Easter
We can never get away from Christs death by crucifixion. It is central to true Christian belief. That Jesus willingly allowed himself to be put to death on that cruel cross in the most humiliating and horrifying death imaginable. Every breath was agony. His nail pierced hands and feet were incredibly painful. This lungs gasped for air as he fought on the cross, his scor back reacted to the rough wood of the cross. His head throbbed With the crown of thorns. His disciples deserted him. The crowds watching and mocking him.
Second, love nailed him to the cross for the duration because he knew suffering was in scripture for the messiah. As God in the flesh Jesus knew as much as he could but Jesus did not expect the moment of total desertion when he no longer felt Gods presence Jesus cried out MY GOD, MY GOD. WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME?
This was the worst pain of all. In that dark but divine moment before Jesus gave up the ghost, God could not be felt because Jesus who was sinless took on ALL the sins of the world and became the only perfect sacrifice ever made
That's why THE CROSS OF CHRIST must always be lifted up. To some this may sound foolish, but to others it is the door to freedom and Communication with a holy God.
Two criminals hung beside him. A Roman guard watched the crucifixion. Jesus at anytime could have called out and been rescued, Why didn't he? First, Jesus had prayed in the garden that this cup be taken from him, but there was no answer and the disciples fell asleep while his soul became
filled with sorrow. Jesus wanted and always obeyed.
filled with sorrow. Jesus wanted and always obeyed.
Second, love nailed him to the cross for the duration because he knew suffering was in scripture for the messiah. As God in the flesh Jesus knew as much as he could but Jesus did not expect the moment of total desertion when he no longer felt Gods presence Jesus cried out MY GOD, MY GOD. WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME?
This was the worst pain of all. In that dark but divine moment before Jesus gave up the ghost, God could not be felt because Jesus who was sinless took on ALL the sins of the world and became the only perfect sacrifice ever made
That's why THE CROSS OF CHRIST must always be lifted up. To some this may sound foolish, but to others it is the door to freedom and Communication with a holy God.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Friends
Do you remember way back to elementary school when at some point you were asked this question.Do you want to be friends? That was a pivotal moment that changed who you sat with at recess, who you shared secrets with, who you listened to.
Friends as we grow up are very important especially those who have known us for years. When starting a new Project Lost Sheep group I like to see people who are friends join in. Why? Because they know each other, trust each other and will stay behind each other during times of waiting
for the action to happen.
Friends are different from clients or business associates. Friends know us outside work. They know about our families. They know our weak spots and still love us. We need to have affirmation and connection with others and especially in the body of Christ we need to be friends that stick close.
Jesus commanded his followers to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he had loved. Love is the basis of ministry together. We can follow programs or we can grow up together in our relationships with each other by spending time with each other, praying with each other, crying with each other.
Friends as we grow up are very important especially those who have known us for years. When starting a new Project Lost Sheep group I like to see people who are friends join in. Why? Because they know each other, trust each other and will stay behind each other during times of waiting
for the action to happen.
Friends are different from clients or business associates. Friends know us outside work. They know about our families. They know our weak spots and still love us. We need to have affirmation and connection with others and especially in the body of Christ we need to be friends that stick close.
Jesus commanded his followers to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he had loved. Love is the basis of ministry together. We can follow programs or we can grow up together in our relationships with each other by spending time with each other, praying with each other, crying with each other.
Real friends will show up at a funeral where you are hurting. Real friends don't run away when something bad happens. They come closer and feel your pain.
Friends will cost you time. Friends will sometimes hurt your feelings as you have hurt others but friends are essential to being a thriving human being. If you climb to the top of the heap and there is no one there you will experience a great hole of loneliness. If you have no time to be real to someone along the way you are missing the way.
Take time to make a friend or two along the way. They will bring balance and perspective to you and you to them.
THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
Friends will cost you time. Friends will sometimes hurt your feelings as you have hurt others but friends are essential to being a thriving human being. If you climb to the top of the heap and there is no one there you will experience a great hole of loneliness. If you have no time to be real to someone along the way you are missing the way.
Take time to make a friend or two along the way. They will bring balance and perspective to you and you to them.
THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Forgiveness
This is such a touching video of forgiveness. Please click on the blue button to view the video. You will love this. God bless you.
Forgiveness from Menlo Church on Vimeo.
Forgiveness from Menlo Church on Vimeo.
Friends
Do you remember way back to elementary school when at some point you were asked this question: "Do you want to be friends?" That was a pivotal moment that changed who you sat with at recess, who you shared secrets with and who you listened to.
Friends as we grow up are very important especially those who have known us for years. When starting a new Project Lost Sheep group I like to see people who are friends join in. Why? Because they know each other, trust each other and will stay behind each other during times of waiting
for the action to happen.
Friends are different from clients or business associates. Friends know us outside work. They know about our families. They know our weak spots and still love us. We need to have affirmation and connection with others and especially in the body of Christ we need to be friends that stick close.
Jesus commanded his followers to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he had loved. Love is the basis of ministry together. We can follow programs or we can grow up together in our relationships with each other by spending time with each other, praying with each other, crying with each other. Real friends will show up at a funeral where you are hurting. Real friends don't run away when something bad happens. They come closer and feel your pain.
Friends will cost you time. Friends will sometimes hurt your feelings as you have hurt others but friends are essential to being a thriving human being. If you climb to the top of the heap and there is no one there you will experience a great hole of loneliness. If you have no time to be real to someone along the way you are missing the way.
Take time to make a friend or two along the way. They will bring balance and perspective to you and you to them.
THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
Friends as we grow up are very important especially those who have known us for years. When starting a new Project Lost Sheep group I like to see people who are friends join in. Why? Because they know each other, trust each other and will stay behind each other during times of waiting
for the action to happen.
Friends are different from clients or business associates. Friends know us outside work. They know about our families. They know our weak spots and still love us. We need to have affirmation and connection with others and especially in the body of Christ we need to be friends that stick close.
Jesus commanded his followers to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he had loved. Love is the basis of ministry together. We can follow programs or we can grow up together in our relationships with each other by spending time with each other, praying with each other, crying with each other. Real friends will show up at a funeral where you are hurting. Real friends don't run away when something bad happens. They come closer and feel your pain.
Friends will cost you time. Friends will sometimes hurt your feelings as you have hurt others but friends are essential to being a thriving human being. If you climb to the top of the heap and there is no one there you will experience a great hole of loneliness. If you have no time to be real to someone along the way you are missing the way.
Take time to make a friend or two along the way. They will bring balance and perspective to you and you to them.
THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
A Taste of Pie
If a pie is in the making there usually is a scrap of crust. I don't bake pies but I do make a little treat with the extra. I flatten in out to a good bite sized piece and sprinkle it with sugar and cinnamon and then put it in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
When it comes out, I sip a little coffee and enjoy the reclaimed crust. It never fails to give me a sense of comfort. You ask why? Because when I came home from school as a very hungry preteen my sweet grandmother always had the extra scraps ready to bake for me.
This fresh baked treat was a taste of kindness I still feel today. Grandmother knew how to show me love. Looking back I know she not only baked treats but she prayed for me to follow her in faith.
When it comes out, I sip a little coffee and enjoy the reclaimed crust. It never fails to give me a sense of comfort. You ask why? Because when I came home from school as a very hungry preteen my sweet grandmother always had the extra scraps ready to bake for me.
This fresh baked treat was a taste of kindness I still feel today. Grandmother knew how to show me love. Looking back I know she not only baked treats but she prayed for me to follow her in faith.
Eventually I did. Never underestimate what a small kindness plus prayer now may reap later in someone's life. Love is kind. Put that in your life and get into step with the spirit of God!
Bravely into 2015
Walking in snow is quiet. I am bundled up after Christmas. Getting used to the cold takes some time. Snow changes how everything looks. The golf course is now a snow walking field. Golfers are inside perfecting their shots or thinking about it.
The golf course is like a big Christmas present to explore. And am surprised how a blanket of snow changes the scenery.
I come back inside and find a song called SING NOEL by a group called Newsong from their album, Christmas Shoes. It is fresh and beautiful and just what I need to hear today.
We need new songs and we need Christmas Shoes. We need to walk out into this world different because we have had a new touch of Christmas. We need to feel different, walk with a light step and make music in our hearts that is real and fresh.
Like a new born baby, we long for the nurturing moments that a real encounter with the
Christ of Christmas gives. So take time again to slow down and be amazed at the miracle of God, the wonder of a new song.
Look down at your feet and be ready to step out bravely into 2015!
The golf course is like a big Christmas present to explore. And am surprised how a blanket of snow changes the scenery.
I come back inside and find a song called SING NOEL by a group called Newsong from their album, Christmas Shoes. It is fresh and beautiful and just what I need to hear today.
We need new songs and we need Christmas Shoes. We need to walk out into this world different because we have had a new touch of Christmas. We need to feel different, walk with a light step and make music in our hearts that is real and fresh.
Like a new born baby, we long for the nurturing moments that a real encounter with the
Christ of Christmas gives. So take time again to slow down and be amazed at the miracle of God, the wonder of a new song.
Look down at your feet and be ready to step out bravely into 2015!
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