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  <a href="/blog/blog/6446361/open-door-at-37-000-feet-relevant-christian-magazine-2016">&quot;Open Door at 37,000 Feet&quot; (&#39;Relevant Christian Magazine&#39; July, 2016)</a>&nbsp;
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  <div class="message"><p>At 37,00 feet, an open door could be an emergency or an opportunity for glory!  On this February morning, it was the latter.  I boarded the Southwest plane with guitar in hand, receiving the standard smiles, typical concerned expressions (inner hopes my guitar would not find its way into their overhead bin?),  and the usual off-handed questions,  "Do you play guitar?" or "You 'gonna play for us?"  Every flight I've taken the past twenty years, I'd responded: "I'd be happy to!"  </p><p>No one took me up on it - until flight #2293. </p><p>The Denver crew was on duty and happened to be music appreciators who thought it would be a nice treat for their passengers to have live tunes.  They hadn't even heard me sing and didn't know whether I could carry a tune in a bucket or play a lick of guitar.  Still they gave me the microphone as we were flying over Kansas.                                                                                     </p><p>I was nervous.  This was a CAPTIVE audience and they were all looking at me expectantly.   God had opened this door, and I would "sing" through it!   After a Christian tribute to our military and a nice little applause, they allowed me another, and  I chose the familiar hymn "How Great Thou Art",  acknowledging and praising the One who created the very skies we were flying through.  Steward Tyler thanked me and announced my website to the cabin.  Promo!  On the walk back to my seat, folks complimented, thanked me, asked what I do, took a business card and no kidding - looked up my website.  Seriously there were a few postings and comments on social media before we even landed in Phoenix since one attendant had recorded it on her phone and posted it to her personal FB page.  Of the two songs I sang, she recorded the hymn - just a little more glory for the Lord!  </p><p>The video didn't go viral.  However, it served the purpose intended for it.  Melodies sung boldly to a cabin of strangers moved hearts and bolstered the faith and courage of many who heard and shared it.  </p><p>Four days later on my return flight, the woman I sat next to had also been on flight #2293 and heard me sing!   She was interested in hearing more about being bold for Jesus in her marriage to an unbeliever, and raising her two boys in faith.  We filled most of the three hour trip home with spiritual conversation. </p><p>The Apostle Paul says in <i>I Peter 3:15 "always be prepared to give an answer for the reason for the hope that you have."</i>  I'm staying prepared, and I'll be continually vocal, ready to speak and sing for His praise through every open door.   Bring it on!    </p><p>**Published in the Relevant Christian Magazine - July 31, 2016      </p></div>
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  <a href="/blog/blog/6446360/grandma-s-building-blocks-devotion-may-2020">&quot;Grandma&#39;s Building Blocks&quot; Devotion - August 1,  2020 </a>&nbsp;
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  <div class="message"><p><em>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."  Prov 3:5-6 </em></p>
<p>Sometimes the verse was embossed, sometimes scrawled in her swirly penmanship, and other times simply referenced after her signature.  Love, Grandma - <em>Proverbs 3:5-6</em>.  Regardless of how, it was in every birthday card during my childhood years.  Not just in MINE, but in those of my siblings as well.  Did our Grandma know any other scriptures?  Did she think this was my favorite?  Certainly it must be hers. Could it possibly be the only verse in her bible?     </p>
<p>Through the years, it bore the brunt of a joke or two as we opened her mail, knowing full well it would be staring at us from somewhere on the cardstock.  Rarely was it accompanied by a present, nor was it attached to the often warm relationships of grandparents to their grandchildren.  These two lived in the sunshine state 20+ hours away and communication between them and my parents was stained by a history of hurts.  Proverbs 3:5-6 was admittedly assigned some 'resentment by association' during those early years.  </p>
<p>Adolescence came with its standard insecurities. However, the small parochial school I attended seemed to bring more than my share of rejection.  Confusion and hurt drove me to test authority, challenge my parents, and break any boundaries my young mind didn't like or comprehend...<em>lean not on your own understanding.        </em></p>
<p>High school piled on dating disappointments as I pursued guys who didn't follow Jesus.  Regret and shame were consequences of chasing after my own desires...<em>in all your ways, acknowledge Him</em>. </p>
<p>College brought anxiety, fear, and struggle over future life decisions.  God word whispered to my soul...<em>Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  </em> </p>
<p>Grandma continued her contact and offered to host me the summer before my senior year.  I saw the chance for this cold Wisconsin girl to tan on the Florida coast.  She and Grandpa saw the chance to fill me with scripture, devotion, and prayer.  We survived 10 weeks of messy roller coaster days.  They laid one small block after another onto the foundation of my faith through their loud but authentic care for my spirit - and their boisterous hymn singing!  I became wiser, grew in character, and softened in our relationship.    </p>
<p>It seems that many small stones carefully placed over time can build a monument. Somewhere along the journey, those beautiful Proverbs carved their way into my memory.  Over and over again, God's wisdom guided my heart.  Jesus drew me to seek Him more deeply, and the Holy Spirit strengthened me through Christian community, word, and the sacraments.  I had been trained up in the knowledge of my Savior through the mentors who spoke into my life and led by their example.  What a blessing to receive the gift of forgiveness thru the cross of Christ,  recognize my restoration to The Creator, and anticipate a certain future secured by the empty tomb!                    </p>
<p>Grandpa went on to future paradise and I'm certain is enjoying the music of Heaven. Grandma is still here, walking healthy and strong with her Lord at 95!  I never did tell her how I used to feel about Proverbs 3:5-6. </p>
<p>It seems a little childish to me now, though, perhaps that's the beauty of it. </p>
<p><strong>Song Reflection:  I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,  Trusting only Thee.   Trusting Thee for full salvation,  Great and free.   </strong></p>
<p><strong>I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shall lead.   Every day and hour supplying all my need.   Lutheran Service Book  #729 </strong></p>
<p>Prayer:  Gracious God, I praise you for Your faithful Word - alive, active and applicable to me in every season.  Thank You for the wisdom of those You've placed in my life to bless and grow me up.  Continue to hide Your truths in my memory and cover over me so I will not depart from Your ways.  In Your name I pray, Amen. </p>
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    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2020-09-30T15:47:09-05:00" title="September 30, 2020 15:47">09/30/2020</span></p>

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  <a href="/blog/blog/6446354/to-be-loved-poem-june-1-2020">&quot;To Be Loved&quot; a poem from June 1, 2020</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

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  <div class="message"><p>My eyes locked with hers. </p>
<p>Deep in the pool of emotion, I imagined I heard her heart cry </p>
<p>"I just want to be loved" </p>
<p>Saw his anger burst </p>
<p>heightened by the weight of my ugly words    </p>
<p>If I could simply have remembered that he </p>
<p>just wants to be loved. </p>
<p>In the core of my being it settles. </p>
<p>A constant ache to be accepted - to be heard - </p>
<p>To know with certainty that </p>
<p>my existence - my life - matters. </p>
<p>Woven into the fabric of this frame </p>
<p>and every fiber within it </p>
<p>is the search for purpose. </p>
<p>A burning desire to add my unique contributions to the world </p>
<p>and for someone to accept and value them  - </p>
<p>to value me. </p>
<p>I suppose it's just another way to say </p>
<p>I just want to be loved. </p>
<p>At the end of the day </p>
<p>who is willing to stay </p>
<p>no matter what I've done </p>
<p>             who I've been </p>
<p>how I've failed to be the me I'm proud of... </p>
<p>who is willing to love</p>
<p> </p>
<p>**Shared on my virtual women's retreat "Lavish Love" summer 2020</p></div>
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<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/6446352/sharpening-moments-devotion-june-1-2020">&quot;Sharpening Moments&quot; (Women&#39;s Leadership Institute - 2020)</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>SHARPENING  MOMENTS -   </p>
<p>Every day is filled with them.   Opportunities to encourage and challenge someone or to be encouraged and challenged by someone else.  Sometimes both happen at the same time.  Kind of a mutual sharpening.  Those are my favorite kind.  <em>Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” </em></p>
<p>There I stood at my resource table on "Friendship Sunday".  I was the musical guest at a neighboring church, and had just led fairly rousing congregation hymns, energetic kids choruses, and a sweet rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" all centered on the theme of 'sharing our faith'.   The gentlemen approached  me with a smile and kind compliments to my voice.   We began a friendly conversation.  He attended church here every week,  sang in the choir, and worked downtown at a stressful job.  His biggest obstacle was having a good attitude towards his co-workers.   When I asked if his job challenges might be a way to share his faith, he quickly dismissed the thought  replying, "Oh, I don't really talk about my faith."  I verbally wondered why.  Mark's reason:  He was shy and expected his actions would speak enough for others to see his faith.     </p>
<p>Ok.  Yes, actions are good.  They can speak louder than words and people take notice. Yet, words are pretty important and in many cases, they're powerful - even essential.   The spoken word last years in our memories, and echo long in our minds.  Often, words are more meaningful than actions.  Finally,  words are scriptural, and a means that God wants us to use.  King David wrote in <em>Psalms 145:3-7: "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.  One generation commends Your works to another; They tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty— and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.  They tell of the power of Your awesome works and I will proclaim Your great deeds.  They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness."</em>    How could we tell, speak of, proclaim and sing without words?  One of my favorites - kind of a life focus - is I Peter 3:15  "But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the reason for the hope you have;  But do this with gentleness and respect."   How often do we examine our reasons for NOT speaking when an opportunity is before us.  If we dig deep and look honestly, might we discover  fear at the heart of our silence?    </p>
<p>I mused to Mark that he had just been having a pretty good conversation with a virtual stranger for the past 10 minutes.  I followed up with some encouragement, ending with an action for him:  "Try mentioning something spiritual to someone at work this week.  Maybe a small comment like:  "I will pray for you;  God bless you;  or Jesus is with you" to shine just a little more obviously - and see what happens?"   </p>
<p>He was about to respond when a woman nearby suddenly entered the conversation by inserting "Mark is a great guy!" He replied, "Thanks, Irene." then turned to me "I sing in the choir with Irene."  Ooooh,  I see a sharpening opportunity!   I let Irene in on the 'action challenge',  suggesting she try the same thing this week, then follow up with Mark about how it went at their next choir practice.  They both smiled at their shared secret, and we circled up for prayer.  It was a sweet moment indeed, emulating a tasty little verse in Proverbs 27  "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."     </p>
<p>Isn't it a blessing to have the incredible resource of relationship within our church families!  There, God brings us together with others who walk alongside us as we live out our faith daily.  There, the Holy Spirit empowers us through His word and sacrament to be bold and courageous, stepping past our fears. There, we are spiritually fed, able to express worship and praise, and find a safe - and hopefully - receptive place to celebrate the Lord's faithfulness and spur each other on.  <em>Hebrews 10:24-25</em> "<em>And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day approaching."    </em></p>
<p>Moments are waiting.  Get your words ready! </p>
<p>Published / posted on-line through WLI on June 11, 2020</p></div>
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    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2020-09-30T15:43:40-05:00" title="September 30, 2020 15:43">09/30/2020</span></p>

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<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/6446350/it-s-time-september-26">&quot;It&#39;s Time&quot; spoken word - (for Writer&#39;s Conference @ Maranatha - 2016) </a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>**  Written for the "It's Time" conference in 2016 </p>
<p>It's time </p>
<p>It's time I found my voice - </p>
<p>unique all me </p>
<p>to speak freely </p>
<p>for God gave me the choice </p>
<p>to be my vocal self </p>
<p>or store my words upon the shelf of silence </p>
<p>It's time </p>
<p>It's time I move ahead </p>
<p>with heart with tongue </p>
<p>spoken or sung </p>
<p>some thoughts need to be said </p>
<p>things that define the soul </p>
<p>that soothe the broken in us whole </p>
<p>I've got to take the chance </p>
<p>to partner with Divine and pure rhythms, notes and rhyme </p>
<p>so song or script or art is mine AND His - </p>
<p>perfection shaping beauty from this mess - </p>
<p>such loveliness - how we express.   </p>
<p>He made us to shine so I refuse to miss  this  time.</p></div>
</div>


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    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2020-09-30T15:38:58-05:00" title="September 30, 2020 15:38">09/30/2020</span></p>

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