Monday Morning

It is Monday morning. I’m sitting at my desk, recovering from Thanksgiving week, which ended last night at 9pm when my family and I returned from Germany. Living in Florida, I secretly love cold vacations. Twisted, I know.

In Germany I finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. One thing he wrote keeps coming back to my mind: “Success cannot heal a wounded soul.”

Wow. Is that why we seek recognition, fame, or fortune? Is that what fuels our need to feel love from people we hardly know? Is that what drives our pretentions? . . . Because, we have wounded souls?

Rob Bell might be on to something. But, the statement begs another question. What does heal a wounded soul?

All political ideologies, religions and most philosophies presuppose that truth heals whatever it is that mars the human condition.

Next question… What is truth?

Jesus said on more than one occasion that He is Truth . . . not a cold, hard, or condemning Truth, but a loving, even redemptive, Truth.

My therapeutic supervisor, Dr. Lex Baer, reminded me this morning that Jesus loves us not as we should be, but as we are.

Jesus loves you as you are, right now. Jesus wants you to grow, but He already loves you.

Nice.

Thanksgiving 2009

Father, thank You for all we have. We are so amazingly blessed in countless ways, in work, in family, in health, in friends. Thank You Father in Jesus name...

If I Listen

About a month ago my two boys were in the backyard playing. Still warm outside, they were running around the pool, laughing, being boys.

My six-years-old, Lucas, stopped and told his four-year-old brother, Tristan, “I have a loose tooth. Punch it out.”

It might seem improbable that a four-year-old could knock his brother’s tooth out. But Tristan has an orange belt in karate and he knows how to throw a reasonable punch.

Lucas stood still like a soldier, smiling, offering an easy target to his brother. Tristan took aim, let out a little laugh full of excitement, and with his left fist started pounding his brother in the teeth ... They were both laughing.

***

Raising children is hard.

Just when I figure my boys out, they change. They are always getting smarter and learning new tricks. – At the same time, I make a lot of mistakes. I get impatient. I jump to conclusions. I don’t always listen to them when I should. I yell...

One time I yelled at Tristan so loud he looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, “Daddy you’re making my heart shake.” Talk about feeling like a parent in need of remedial training.

I need God’s help in many areas of my life, but none more than in the area of raising my children. It is an awesome responsibility. I’m not perfect, but I know if I ask, and if I listen, my Father in heaven will guide me.

***

In his bathing suit Lucas walked up to me with a big smile on his face, blood dripping down his chin. “Look Dad!” He stretched out his hand. “I lost another tooth!” Tristan was standing proud by his side.

“You sure did. Let me see it.”

I love those boys so much. As they ran back and did cannonballs into the pool, I shook my head with a grin on my face and thanked God again for being a God of second chances.

Veterans Day 2009 - Scouts Out...

To my Cav Brothers. Happy Veterans Day. Especially to Abercrombie and Spoon. We are praying and waiting for you... One Shot, One Kill...

Give Peace A Chance

The weight of scripture points to the fact we are not meant to go through life alone. We are relational beings. We need each other to live, to survive, to make sense of life . . . to understand our Creator.

It is in the context of relationships that the human experience unfolds. Without people, without relationships, life has no texture.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Humans have the power to precipitate nearly all emotions, but peace, emotional peace, comes to us as a gift from a Father who loves us. Only God can give us peace.

Jesus came into the world to complete the most important relationship of all.

Jesus is the bridge to the Father. He knows the world is full of empty promises. He knows you struggle. He knows life is unfair and unjust. He cares for you deeply.

If you trust Him, if you surrender, you will find the peace you are looking for.

Faith Through Adversity

Posted by Jessica Squires...

This week I was personally touched by the faith of a friend. On October 11, 2009, she shared with many others, as well as myself, that during her 23rd week of pregnancy she and her husband found out that their baby had developed bilateral renal agenesis, or Potter’s Syndrome. This technical term means the kidneys of the baby have not developed as they should have, causing a lack of amniotic fluid in the womb, leading to the underdevelopment of the lungs. These organs should have begun their development in the early weeks, and there is no chance of transplants even if their little one reaches full term.

Then, on October 21, 2009, she posted the following entry on her blog. I was so personally touched that I asked her if I could share her entry with the Port Orange Counseling Center Prayer Circle. I hope that this entry about God’s miracles inspires you as much as me. My husband and I are continually praying for this family as I hope all of you will, too! Thank you Amanda and Nick.

Jessica Squires

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Not my will!!!

I can remember a week ago telling my mother that we ARE praying for a miracle, but we are also praying that God's will be done.

Mark 14:36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

It is often hard to grasp that sometimes the miracle that will and is taking place might not be the one that is EXPECTED.

We often put God into a box and chose what miracle we want and think we need, but He often has other plans. And let me tell you those plans may be the hardest thing to grasp.

After going and visiting with the DR today, I was just so encouraged by her words, "you should expect to hold your baby for a few hours!" WOW, can you imagine, at first thinking I would never be able to look into our baby’s eyes and have them looking back at me!! Now it is very hopeful that even our family will be able to hold our little one, if only for a short time!!

That in my mind is a miracle, although we know God is capable of anything...we would just love the opportunity to hold our little one if only for a moment!!

We are so blessed to serve such an amazing GOD!!