Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.
Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
"I am your salvation."
Psalm 35:1-3 (NIV)
Five really fun things (for me): (In no particular order)
Laughing. Nothing better than really hard laughter that lasts until the tears come and/or the stomach aches.
Reading a good novel. (That goes without saying, right?)
Writing a good novel. (Yes, that too.)
Horseback riding. (I haven't been in years, but it's the best, most wonderful thing.)
Driving fast in my V8 (which I rarely get to do).
Father, thank you for fun. Seems hard to come by sometimes. Thank you for all you provide. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Sometimes it takes longer than we'd like or want or think it might – or should – to get over something which hurts so badly. There's no required or prescribed time for grief to make its mark and move on. Some handle it better than others.
When my mom died at a young 62 years of age, I didn't allow myself to grieve immediately because my dad was so devastated. His sorrow became a rallying point to be strong in the Lord and help my dad move through the pain as best he could. It was about a year later when I let down and allowed the sadness of her absence, of losing her, to permeate my life. I knew Mom was with Jesus so the grief was deep but lessened.
When my dad died at 89 years of age, I knew he was set free from the life that had ended in a debilitating stroke. He too went to be with Jesus and it had become time for him to go. His life was a strong and vibrant one with many accomplishments by the man with less than a high school education. He lived the American Dream and loved his country, people, and the two ladies who'd blessed and loved him back.
We've lost beloved pets more than once. It's not a new experience. The pain is searing. I know it will pass, but . . . it's still there.
Thank you, Lord of all, for the beautiful gift of loving your creation, for tender hearts, for loss that teaches us that this is not our home. Help me to embrace what I need to learn, to know, and to keep becoming the one you want me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Just a little cabin hideaway . . .
Father, you're the designer of life, the Creator of beauty. All good and perfect gifts come from you. Thank you for all that you give us in talents and gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Peter White's smooth jazz version of this classic. Smooth is right.
Father, thank you for the many gifts you give. Amazing, all of them. Good and perfect when they come from you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I wasn't going to post today because people get tired of hearing about grief. Some people don't particularly think it's a big deal when a pet dies. Some people don't think it should be. "Just an animal" after all. Those are the ones that make me want to cuss.
I'm deeply saddened at the death of our beautiful German Shepherd. He was a truly amazing dog. So very smart. And, as crazy as it sounds, he was my best friend of the non-verbal kind although he often sang along to "Hallelujah" by Chris Botti and a few other tunes he especially liked. He took his naps to a Smooth Jazz station.
Those who don't connect with animals can't understand the magnificent friendships we share with them, how deeply involved we get with them, the love we give to each other. This one was incredible, very protective of me, and right now I'm empty without him in the way we feel when they don't greet us when we get home, we don't hear their light snoring, we no longer know where they are in the house and outside at all times because they aren't here. It's all . . . over.
And the grief is horrendous. So there it is. Whether or not you get it. It's real.
Father, you gave him to us for the allotted time. You know how much we're hurting. You know he was the perfect one for us. You knew how much love we would invest in our gift. Thank you is never enough. Never. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Farewell beautiful beloved dog. We will always love you.
Thank you, God, for the beautiful gift you gave us in this dog. Thank you is never enough. Grief is so hard. I know you know. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
(Originally posted on April 30th, 2017)
I don't know how I missed the debut of this novel, but I did. Chris Fabry is one of my favorite authors even though his stories usually manage to break my heart, leave me sobbing at some point, and inspire me all at the same time. His literary prowess along with his unique imagination bring to life unusual characters in all stations of life while depicting the soft and hard hearts of mankind in all their sentimental and cruel tendencies. The Promise of Jesse Woods lingers. I loved it. But it made me sad. Even if it shouldn't have.
In the frenetic summer of 1972 Matthew Plumley moves with his parents from Pittsburgh to Dogwood, West Virginia, into his grandmother's house as the son of the new preacher. He's overweight, shy, and a diehard Pirates fan amidst a slew of Reds fans. Feeling like a stranger in a strange land he befriends two fellow outcasts in a mixed race boy named Dickie Darrell Lee Hancock and a girl with silky blonde hair and dirty clothes by the name of Jesse Woods. Their partnership causes all kinds of anxiety for Matt's parents and grandmother who mostly fail in their Christianity with these two particular kids.
Many of us have a certain summer from our youth that brings up either an exceptionally fun memory or one of those with pre-teen or teenage anxiety and growing pains. The Promise of Jesse Woods goes back and forth in time to capture all of that summer of '72 for Matt Plumley after he receives a call in Pittsburgh where he lives and works from an old estranged friend from that special summer. The news which led to the phone call leads Matt back to Dogwood 14 years later. Although his parents are glad to see him, they really don't want him back home at this time. But Matt's not a kid anymore, and he's on a mission to clarify a promise from the girl whose word was tantamount to truth in their long ago relationship.
What Matt discovers about that promise allows him the time and determination to resolve a long dormant situation and arrive at a somewhat satisfying conclusion in many areas of his unsettled life.
The Promise of Jesse Woods tackles so many difficult topics regarding prejudice, a distressed church, the choices between fear and courage, first love, the dedication and devotion of the human spirit in impossible situations, the value of promises, the critical character parts of trust and faith, sorrow and tragedy, the importance of friendship, and the horrors of dysfunctional families. In other words the story is filled with the failings and victories of the human condition when survival and protection drive us to do all we can to keep going.
Few books get 5 stars from me, but The Promise of Jesse Woods deserves as many as needed to signify an amazing effort by Chris Fabry.
Father, you know all about Chris and his family. Your desire is to bless them through and in spite of all the hardships they've endured. Please continue to bless their lives and give Chris the stories you want him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Brad Thor's newest will release on June 25th, 2019. Should be another exciting adventure with Scot Harvath. If you haven't read Brad Thor, think similar to the late great Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills. Political, espionage, thrillers. You'll have your favorites in the large series/collection. So far, my favorite of Brad's is Black List.
Father, only you give good and perfect gifts. Thank you for your writers and all of your artists. We ask that you continue to bless Brad and may he have many more books in his repertoire. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
