I like to Stand Up... but I don't always do it.

It's Friday morning. Andi and 3 of the kids have left for school and I'm reading alone on the couch (Trent's still in bed). And I'm thinking about times to stand up.

One of my favorite things has always been going to a major league baseball game for the national anthem. I am always in awe when the person comes out on the field, everybody stands up and by mid way through the song just about everyone is singing and facing our flag. Brings tears to my eyes every time.

I went to a Promise Keepers event at Texas Stadium one year and there were 50,000 guys standing and singing songs to Jesus and it was awesome. And I cried.

It's easy for me to stand up during those times and take in the moment, when everyone else is standing. Everyone else is involved. Everyone else is doing it. But would I stand if I were the only one?

Esther's surrogate father, Mordecai, knew what it was like to stand alone.

Haman, the kings second in command, would pass through the king's gate every day and every day everyone in the square would bow down, drop to one knee, show respect and honor. But Mordecai always stood. Regardless that it meant death. Even though that act, standing, brought about Haman's plan to "cleanse" Persia of the Jews. All of them.

See, Mordecai believed in God and as such, that he should not bow to anyone but God. Call it stubborn or foolish or even a death wish. Mordecai didn't bow.

When "everyone else is doing it" what do you do? Can you stand when everyone else is bowing? Can you raise your voice when everyone else is silent? Can you give when everyone else has decided to withhold?

I don't know about you, but I want to be a Stand Up guy.

Time Sensitive

Well, it's on to a new OT book this morning. Esther comes after being really interested in the history of the kings, and the exile, etc. Oh well.
-Did you hear that Ted Kennedy passed away yesterday morning? I, like others will not get into his politics, just want to say a prayer that he hopefully had a relationship with Jesus Christ.
-Did you know that, supported by the CARS program over 700K new cars have been sold? Good for the automotive industry... if they ever get paid, maybe not so good for me, since my tax dollars went to help someone else get a car. I myself am looking for a used car - cheap. So, my tax money helped someone else get a car that I can't myself afford.
-Talked to a friend who is a minister in Michigan, you know the place Jeff Daniels is always talking about, he says that Michigan has the worst economy in the Nation.
-Oh, one more, I heard the aircraft industry here in KS is now at 9.9% unemployment.

Why does all this matter? Who cares what is going on in the world around us! We're Christians and aren't supposed to care about "worldly" things.

Okay, calm down. I read this morning that when King Xerxes had a problem he called together his advisers (the smartest guys in his kingdom) and asked them what to do. The text in Esther chapter 1 says that they "were wise men, who understood the times."

You see, while the death of Kennedy and the Cash for Clunkers program doesn't really affect me, politically (republican) or where our new (old)- $1500 or less) car is concerned they do affect others. And as a Christian who wants to see every person possible find real life through a relationship with Jesus Christ it's important for me to "understand the times" so I can best reach out to those who right at this moment, driving to work or eating breakfast or headed to school, don't care at all about Jesus.

I must understand the times so I can, more effectively, find ways to reach out to those who need to know the hope I have in a God they can't see.

So here's to being informed and informing. May we use every opportunity that presents itself to share our faith - understanding these times.

Will I be remembered?

Have you ever thought about what the world will be like when you are gone? Come on, everybody dies, it's a part of life (and for believers the best part!), so have you ever wondered who will remember you? What will they say? Will life continue for them with barely a nod to your life? Or will they never be the same?
I think about this sometimes. It seems a bit morbid but it makes me desire even more to do something worthwhile with my life that benefits people and cities and humankind.
But this morning I'm wondering, "does it matter if people here remember me after I'm gone?" What difference will it make to me whether you recall my life with fondness or with disgust? I'll be dead. So how ever you feel about me won't affect me, right?
In Nehemiah 13 there is a recurring phrase. Nehemiah is essentially listing the things he did to restore God's favor toward His people. Restoring the tithes and offerings for the priests and Levites. Making sure the people had remained pure and not intermarried with the people around them. And over and over he says, "Remember me for this, O God." He lists what he did and then asks God to remember him.
Huh. Maybe I shouldn't be concerned with how people will recall me when my spirit leaves my body in the dust here, but instead be concerned with whether or not God remembers me when I see Him. Maybe I've got a little mixed up on whose memory is most important!

Remember me with favor, O my God.

God, put it in my heart...

The average Joe, Nehemiah, has returned from Persia (Babylon) to rebuild the walls of the city. Despite great odds and few people, he mustered their best strength and even got the fat-cat nobles to pitch in and they finished the job in record time. Chapter 7 of Nehemiah's life, says that they not only rebuilt the walls but also hung the gates! Which means that they were a protected city again. There was some confidence there, among the people. The wall meant security. It meant status. No longer was the city they loved exposed. No longer could any neighboring town or people simple walk through or over the wall and kill or take captives. This was BIG! Having the wall up was like getting the deluxe ADT security package for your home! They had done it! They had withstood the ridicule and those who were trying to discourage them and they had completed the job.
Now it was time to sit back and relax. To rest a bit and enjoy their security and comfort. Look, less than 50,000 people had finished this huge undertaking, it was time to party! To rest. To marvel at what they had done.
But not for Nehemiah. Verses 4 and 5 say that Nehemiah looked around and saw that the houses had not been rebuilt yet. And that God "put it into my heart to..." well, to do something about it. So Nehemiah set out to begin the process of counting and registering the people so they could be given space and protection within the city.
Here's my prayer today. God, it is easy to sit back and relax and take it easy, especially after a big job or a completed task... but I ask you to "put into my heart" the next thing that needs to be done. The next mountain that needs to be moved. The next task that's been left undone. Don't let me relax or pat myself on the back... there is more to do. There is always more to do... and I want to do it. Put it into my heart - what Your plan is. And then give me the strength and ability to finish it.

Steps 1 and 2.

When I was taking classes for my psych degree the thing we heard over and over was that the first key to success in treating someone with an emotional issue (that was serious enough) was therapy but the second key was also very important (kind of like that second key in the movies that does everything from arm the torpedoes to start the super large drill that is aimed at the center of the earth) and went right along with the first, which in this case was drugs. The mantra was always therapy and drugs (I think they called it "medication"). I was reading in Nehemiah this morning and I saw a one/two punch just like I learned in school. But what I also noticed is that most of us forget the second part.
Nehemiah has brought back to Jerusalem a group of people and has mustered the strength of those already there and they have begun to rebuild the walls and gates of the City, an incredibly huge undertaking. When they are busy building the people around them begin to plot how they might stop the Jews from rebuilding and once again becoming a power nation in the region. Well, Nehemiah learns of their plans and devises this two step process, here's how it happened, "They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat" (Neh 4:8,9).
Did you see it? How were they going to deal with the threat of their neighbors? First they prayed (good idea right?!). And then they Posted a guard. One. Two.
For many of us when we feel attacked by others, or sin (temptation) or the prospect of failure we do only one of the two steps. Being very spiritual you may pray to God, which is great, unless you just go, "well I prayed, get to work God!" For others you may do really good at posting the guard (trying to handle it on your own) but you neglect to pray. When dealing with the issues that you and I face every day we need to employ both of these steps! We need to pray to our God who WILL hear and WILL act but we also need to post a guard, to stand watch, to tighten up security so that we can do our part as well.
Therapy and Drugs. Pray and stand guard.
Today God, while I rely on You to fight for me and meet my needs, help me also to get off my butt and get involved!

Simple - Profound

So I'm reading today in Nehemiah chapter 2 and in the midst of this great story one little statement jumped out at me. Nehemiah is the cup bearer to the king of Persia (formerly Babylon) which was a pretty big deal. Anyway, the king sees how depressed Nehemiah is and asks essentially, "what will make you feel better?"
And then it comes, Nehemiah writes of himself, "Then I prayed to the God of Israel, and answered the king..."

There it is. I prayed to the God of heaven. Simple. Something we take for granted everyday. I pray to the God of heaven. Profound. The God of heaven. The One who created and sustains life. The One who keeps the planets from falling out of space. The One who has the hairs on my bald head (shaved) numbered. AND the subsequent end is this... the God of Heaven listens.

Happy praying, happy Friday!!!!

First Day of School - God IS in control

Good morning, haven't woken Trent up yet. Reading in Ezra Chapters 7-8 this morning.

Ezra said something interesting to me. God had moved the heart of the king, Artaxerxes and all his officials to not only send Ezra and whoever wanted to go with him back to Jerusalem, but they freely gave gifts of gold, silver and bronze both from the treasury of Babylon and as individuals. The hand of God was certainly on them to do this, no doubt.
But as Ezra and the people were camping three days before setting out on this long journey they fasted and prayed that they would have safe journey for themselves and their children. Cool. Understand that, praying before a trip or something for protection, good idea. But the reason they were doing that was because Ezra said he did not feel right asking the king for soldiers or horsemen to accompany them since he had told the king that, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."
Ezra didn't want to ask for soldiers because he had already told the king that God was on his side. He didn't want to be two-faced. He didn't want to have faith in God and yet rely on someone else.

Today, Father, may my strength and faith be in You and You alone. Because it is only You and always You who can offer any real protection. Everything else is false hope. But You alone provide.

...only more frustrated.

So the family all came into the living room last night to watch that 20/20 show about the autistic girl who can communicate by typing, has a blog and is writing a book about autism.  It was an incredible story and we were all very moved by what she typed.  When she typed about being trapped in her body, not being able to control her body, etc. it was almost more than I could take.

We are very happy for this family and the new-found relationship (with communication!) between them all... wait for it...

But.  

Shows like that only make us hurt more.  Andi and I so desperately want to talk to Trent, to know what is hurting him (while he bangs on the walls, bites himself till he nearly bleeds, screams, jumps off the furniture and pounds his fists on the floor), we would love to know what he is thinking, if he is hungry or has a stomach ache.  But we get nothing except more banging, more biting.

Does he feel trapped in his body like she does?  Does he want to be "normal" like she does?  Does he really have any feelings for us and what we do for him like she does?

The sad truth is that for every autistic child who finds a way to break free and communicate there are thousands, maybe tens of thousands who are still trapped.

So I sat here on the couch (still am) with Trent this morning.  Looking into his eyes and trying to see something, anything that would give me a clue to how he feels.  I even busted out the laptop and tried desperately to get him to type something to me (he is a very good typist) even offering him goodies if he did... nothing.  Well, I take that back, he typed "lion" several times and then deleted it.  (yes, we know there is something significant about a lion to him but we don't know what it is... because he can't tell us.)  

While we are happy for that family on tv last night it only highlights the fact that we still live with a child that we really don't know, can't figure out, and live in fear that he feels the same way that girl on 20/20 felt.  If it would do any good I would just cry as he sits here next to me rocking back and forth saying "McDonald's Madagascar Escape to Africa Marty" (and every other character from their happy meal toy line as well as ...Kung-Fu Panda TyLong and all the others).  

There is something going on in that mind of his, that incredible, photographic mind... I would so love to know what it is.   But my prayers fall to the ground, no answer comes... and then he scoots closer to me and puts his hand on mine.  

Good enough for now...

Thank You Lord for Trent, someday, I'd like to meet him.

Sounds like a country song...

So I was reading in 2 Chronicles 21 today about a king named Jehoram. He was a son of Jehoshaphat (good name for your next son!) and was a pretty rotten dude. The first thing he did when he claimed power over his father's kingdom was put his brothers and some other "princes" to death. Not a very nice guy.
Anyway, in verse 20 the dude dies and that is the interesting part that got me thinking. Here's how it reads, "Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings." There, how's that for an epitaph? He was this old. He reigned this long. He died, and no one cared.
Wow! A king! and there was no regret.
I don't know about you but when I die I would like a little regret showed on my behalf. Someone to go, "huh, that guy did some things that were pretty cool." But I guess if that is my desire, if I want a bit of a legacy, then I ought to pay attention to what I do while I'm alive.
Jehoram apparently forgot this. The beginning of the chapter says that he walked in the ways of Ahab (a bad guy who did stuff just to hack God off) and didn't pay attention to the God of his father David.
Well, here's the moral for me. If I want someone to pay attention to you when you die you might want to do some things while you're ALIVE that would give someone reason to regret your death. And you might want to start with faith. Follow God in your life and you will leave a legacy of faith, hope, peace, joy, security, love and grace. And you will certainly be remembered for those!
Here's to a life worth remembering!

Where does it all come from?

1 chronicles 29:14-19 14"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided."

Samuel had just finished recording all that the leaders of Israel had given toward the temple of the Lord when David made this statement. What I think is so cool about this section of Scripture is that David recognizes his position and the position of his people before God. The first sentence, "who am I and who are my people, that we should be ABLE to give as generously as this?" David was thanking God for even the ability to give at that level...he follows it up with, "everything comes from You and we have given You only what comes from Your hand."

Sometimes I feel like we have given generously to God... but no matter how much I am ever able to give to God He has given to me more abundantly,more generously, then I could ever hope to repay! Even if I gave 90% to God and lived off the 10% that remained I would not receive any glory because it ALL came from Him in the first place!

So what can we say to God? David says it perfectly, "God of our fathers, keep this desire in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You." May our desire be to give to God with honesty and integrity from what He has abundantly provided (whether little or much) that we may be always willing to give to You who first gave to us.

Michael Jackson dies at age 50.

So my friends and fans of Michael Jackson, you may not want to read this... not that it is bad or slams Michael, but in this extended state of mourning you may not be thinking clearly and so completely miss what I'm trying to say.

I grew up with Michael Jackson. I remember when Thriller came out and I knew all the words to Smooth Criminal (the video was soooo cool). But I also watched part of the pedophile trial, etc. so I wasn't in a fairy tale world when it came to Michael.

But today, L.A. put on a tribute or memorial or whatever they called it to Michael and paraded one star after another on stage to talk about how wonderful he was and what a great entertainer and how his music and creativity changed the music industry forever. And I suppose it has.

But I was once told, as a pastor, never to preach anyone INTO heaven or OUT OF hell. Their life, like mine and yours, will speak for itself. Bottom line, end of the argument, last word is always whether or not that INDIVIDUAL had a relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't know if Michael did or did not - but I know one guy who knows and He's the one making the decision, judge and jury, so I'll leave it in His big, scarred hands.

While watching a portion of the service today I heard Stevie Wonder say that he "knew" as much as we needed (Michael) him, God must have needed him more... and I think that I take issue with that statement. Today I was reading about the life of King David and the men that were appointed as singers and instrumentalists before God at the Tabernacle and the Bible says that they were all skilled in their area. What does this mean? God doesn't need Michael in heaven or anywhere else, like it or not Michael is just a man, like every other man who is skilled at doing something and can do it well. And as uneducated as it may sound He (God) doesn't NEED any of us. But He does WANT all of us.

If Michael is in heaven he is with millions of others who all have perfect voices. Who never get tired. Who have infinite creativity and time to do anything that would bring Honor and Glory to God. I hope he is there. Just like I hope you're there - though I don't know you and you probably aren't famous (no one famous reads this blog haha) and you may not be able to sing... I hope to see you there.

Stevie, every song you've ever done I think must be a hit but you struck out on this one... Michael didn't die because God needed him in heaven, Michael died because he abused the things that were meant to help him, or his organs began to fail or there was some congenital thing going on we won't find out about for some time. His fate is our fate. But the promise of life with God is always there to everyone who believes in the one God sent, Jesus Christ, His only son. Heaven is NOT based on how well you sing, or whether or not you were famous, or if you have any creative bone in your body. It isn't even based on how many "good" things you do or how much joy you bring to others, God isn't prejudiced like that. The playing field is level. The option is there for me as it was for Michael and as it is for you... that whoever believes in HIM (Jesus) will be saved.

Can you know without knowing?

As most of you know my son Trent has severe Autism. I am working this summer in his classroom to help with his aggression. He has been pretty calm since I started working in there, just part of the honeymoon phase I'm sure, but he has been much better.
Anyway, there is some discussion about where he needs to go next school year and there is also some debate between his teacher/para's and the district administration. Today we tried to explain to an administrator about his aggression. She didn't get it. He was calm while she was in the room so I'm sure she thought we all are exaggerating the situation. The truth is you can't overstate his aggression.

I was thinking it's the same way with Real Life. It is so difficult to explain and so many people don't get it. They see us going through the same junk they do so they think there's nothing to it. But they don't see the whole story. They don't understand the camaraderie when we worship. They don't get the comfort of having others to rely on. They miss the connection we have with Jesus. They don't see the grace. The peace. The joy that fills and permeates who we are.

Maybe this is why the bible says that there will be some who will hear but never understand, see but never perceive because if they did understand and perceive they would come to know what we know and give their lives to Christ.

My apologies to all my loyal readers...

Well, it's been a few days since I posted. Not there wasn't anything to say but getting back from Branson last week presented us with a packed full schedule. Watching Trevor's ensemble instrument performances with KS Lions Band in Wichita. The drum corp was AWESOME and the trombone and flute performances were great too.
Then it was to the church to get a sermon down for Sunday and on and on. The last several days I have been working an article I submitted a query for to a publication called the Lookout. It is a Christian Church publication that, along with the Standard is read by a whole lot of people every week. I was writing a 1500 word article about being in the ministry with a special needs child. Don't know if they will publish it yet or not but I did my part and got it sent in.
It has been an interesting week as I started a new job. I now not only drive Trent to school every day, I stay with him and work as a para-educator in his room. Because of his aggression he is pretty much segregated in a room by himself and the adults that work with him. He was beating them up pretty good so I am now the primary enforcer in the class room, encouraging him to do his work and will be the first to intervene if he gets violent.
Not looking forward to an entire summer of being with him almost all the time, every day, but I'm the Dad - we do what we have to do.
I guess that's how God felt. Surely He didn't want to watch His Son die. Surely it cause Him incredible grief. But that's what He had to do. I'm glad I had an earthly Father who was willing to get the job done and a Heavenly Father who always did the right thing, not just the easy thing. Two great examples of what a Father is. Hopefully my kids can say the same some day.

When it's your own fault...

So this morning Trent was at church with us (if you were there you know this!) because we could not find a sitter for him today. He has had a fantastic week and done very well with all the changes to his schedule, staying with grandma and pa for three days, trip to Wichita for Trevor's band concert and lunch at AppleBees. But today at church he was off, upset and aggitated with something. Andi had to leave church early and take him home because he just was not getting along.

When I got home he was fairly upset, punched a hole in the wall, dumped a bathtub full of water on the bathroom floor, slammed some doors and was generally irritated and aggressive. So we had a little fight, nothing big just a little spat that ended up with him loosing (in the trash) one of his favorite dinosaur toys and an elephant (he LOVES elephants) toy.

He begged for his toys back but was still upset and angy and I was not too happy either so I stood my ground even when he asked with tears in his eyes and reminded me where he got it, "open present dinosaur toy" he said... he got the dino for Christmas and he loved it (which is why I used it as punishment - I ain't no wimmpy Father that only tosses the toys he doesn't like!)
Anyway, later I discovered that I had neglected to give Trent his medicine this morning... yep, you guessed it... my fault.

Trent was uphappy and angry becasue his little body was having withdrawls from the lack of meds and since he doesn't talk he couldn't just say, "Hey! I need my medicine!"

I'm reminded that when I get in to trouble and have a rough time in my life and am angry with God for what's going on it's most often my own fault! I neglected to follow His law. I didn't do what He asked or I just flat out dissobeyed!

So, given the circumstances, I think that old dinosaur may make a return appearance tonight...

Something I'm thankful for...

18 years and 6 months ago Andi said "I do" to me and a church full of people. Over those 18 years we've had a bunch of ups and downs in our marriage and in our lives. But let me take a minute to say here, as I sit in my hotel room in Branson (Andi's on the bed watching tv and eating pretzels... it's 11pm), that she has gotten more beautiful every year. And her beauty is not just physically - though she looks better than she ever has - but she is beautiful on the inside. Her spirit and ability to have fun and be quite even is amazing. She still suprises me, after all these years... So, I am happy and in love and tired this evening with the only person I would want to be here with...

Honey, I'd say more wonderful things about you but I am REALLY, REALLY tired!

What am I here for?

Maybe you've asked yourself that question before. Standing in line at the DMV (or the liqueur store). This thought went through my mind more than once this afternoon. What am I doing here? Why am I here? What good am I doing? I don't often ask myself these questions in relation to ministry, but today I asked myself all of them... while standing on the soccer field. If I believed in "luck" I would say that I'm pretty much bad luck for the soccer team. Having Real Life's logo on the front of the jerseys sure hasn't helped either!
Every time a ball got by me (and it happened a lot today!) I'd ask myself another one of those mentally rhetorical questions. And the answer was always "I don't know!"

We were doing pretty well - and you never ask yourself those kinds of questions when things are going good - tied the score. I had some good saves and then all the sudden I couldn't buy a save. I could blame it on others or use my standard line, "if the offense would score more there wouldn't be so much pressure on the defense" (the offense doesn't like that cop out). But the bottom line is that the ball stops here, with me... or rather, the ball rolls slightly past me - but I'm still responsible.

No matter how well or poorly the defense is playing I'm the last line of defense and its up to me to stop the ball. No matter what. I failed at that task today.

I failed at something else. Something bigger than a soccer ball or even the game. I failed to realize that I my task, my job is never just about what I'm doing at the moment. It's not just about stopping balls on the field or coaching 3rd graders or preaching or parenting or helping a neighbor... no my task is bigger and has much longer lasting results.

My job is to be the best witness I can for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether we win or loose I'm to be a witness. Whether I preach to 20 or 200 it's the same witness. Whether I'm letting Trevor drive the car home from Wichita or watching Tristen to back flips on the trampoline I have to watch my witness. And I need to change my perspective. I need to stop worrying and thinking so much about the temporal (today - flesh and blood stuff) and starting thinking more about the eternal.

So maybe I'll keep playing soccer and instead of just watching the ball, I'll make sure my witness scores for God.

Great Morning with the Svandas...

What a great time sharing with Lee and Tina Svanda this am. If you missed it they are preparing for a short-cycle mission to Koper, Slovenia where they will be planting a church, together with 7 other adults and 4 kids.
Lee and Tina shared their heart for this mission work as well as their plans for this incredible undertaking - planting a native church within 5 years!
Their journey to the mission field and how God is working in their lives is very similar to what is going on the lives of many here at Real Life as we open ourselves up to what God wants for us. This is especially true for Tina who shared that she has only been a Christian for 10 years (a little less than that I think) and how God moved her to a place where she caught Lee's vision for missions and finally joined him in completely surrendering to God and His Will.

Their testimony today tied in so well with the message as we talked about making God a priority in our lives. So often we get so sidetracked with life and bills and jobs and kids that we often give God the leftovers of our life and not the best... though we expect His best for us (a bit of a double standard I think - and am guilty of).

So we talked about ways to make God a bigger priority in our lives, reading our bible, trusting Him for our financial needs, praying a bit more focused.

As a set in the right direction there we as a church made a commitment to Lee and Tina to support them with 10% of the giving for the rest of the year. This is a way for us to press in and truly rely on God for the resources to run Real Life as well as support a mission that so closely resembles our heart for El Dorado.

So join me in prayer and priority as we focus on God and His Son Jesus Christ and look to Him for what we need even as we seek to give Him the best of who and what we are!

Thanks, Lord for the little things...

Today we got back from a speedy trip to KC to take Trent for some N.A.E.T. treatments. Last night in the hotel room I was praying and thanked God for our safe trip to KC and asked for a safe trip home (He delivered btw). While praying about that I thought about all the time we spend on the road. I take Trent to school in Andover (30 min one way) every school day. Andi takes the other kids to Leon (sometimes Trevor drives) every school day. Twice a week during the last semester Andi left school early drove to Emporia, KS for her EdS. Now back on the road to KC and next week she and I to Branson...
Of all the people on the road and all the wrecks and fender-benders there are every day God has kept us safe.

Thank you God for safe travels when there have been so many opportunities and near misses You have kept us safe.

Crummy Day... what's the difference?

So today started okay... Trent didn't go to sleep 'till late again last night so wasn't sure how he'd do today at home or school. Once to school (Trent did fine in the am) I talked with his teacher about his aggression. We talked about two options for the summer for Trent. I could come as a para and work so that if he got angry the other paras would not have to take the brunt, or we could possibly send him to HeartSpring and see how that works for him and them.
Needless to say, these are HUGE changes for us and would be for Trent - though they might be good options.
Now, we are going to KC tomorrow afternoon for some N.A.E.T. treatments (spending the night in KC) and coming home on Saturday... sometime.

Anyway, it just seemed like it was one thing after another today that was not expected and did NOT make me happy. I was grumpy finishing up with Jack on the roof this evening and just overall poopy in spirit.

But, (here's the good part) this is not all there is to my life. I will continue to have days that kick my butt - spiritually, financially, physically, emotionally - but it's only one day at a time. I can't change the future by worrying about it. We will work and pray about the best situation for Trent and we'll make a decision and live with it. Whether I have to work with him at the school or take him to a new school we'll get through it.

You see, the things that happen to us everyday are just things that happen to us - they don't define us. They don't MAKE us happy or grumpy or angry they just happen. So thank you Lord that when the day DOESN'T go the way I want it to you are the same... yesterday, today and forever. You don't change. My life changes. My feelings change. My relationships change and financial situation changes. But not You.

Thanks for being... always.

I Am: The TRUE VINE

Jesus invites us to connect with Him so that we might bear fruit - or Christ-likeness in our lives. Are you ready to connect with Christ, or His church? Get plugged in and enjoy the benefits and blessings of being connected!