Thanksgiving 2014

Psalm 9:1 -- "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders."

image: Steven Dalton

Watching the big bright ball in the sky take its dip behind the houses on the water I stood there on the old dock at the park. There was a crisp breeze in the air - something not common this time of year in Florida - and my arms broke out in goosebumps. I kept hearing a favorite phrase whisper itself into my soul -- my cup runneth over.

Nearly two years ago when I first publicly took digital pen to internet page the reason was to remind myself to be a grateful person. Far too often did I get to the end of the day and miss telling of all the wonders God had graced and laced throughout the previous twenty-four hours. Or worse - sometimes I would get to the end of the day in a grumpy slump. No doubt about it, my attitude needed a make over.

Inspired by Anne Voskamp, I began to keep a gratitude journal. Not only would I daily make a list of all God's wonders, but when the day was too long and I felt like a withered plant rather than a soul blooming in the grace of Jesus Christ - I would force my negative brain waves to focus on the light and glory of God. After all, even in the storm there are things for which to be thankful. 

This week we collectively celebrate Thanksgiving. What more appropriate moment is there to share some of the things that made it into the gratitude journal:

  1. The quiet of sunrise when the world is still asleep.

  2. The magic that is Swiffer.

  3. Watching my Dad play pinball on our Cross Town pinball machine. 

  4. That awesome thing they call a Keurig.

  5. Good books that keep me up all night.

  6. Swallow Tail butterflies on my orange tree.

  7. Ladies night with my two dearest friends.

  8. The delightful success of a new recipe.

  9. Daily bike rides with my husband.

10. Finding a thing you thought was lost forever.

11. A surprise visit by my baby brother.

12. Monster movie night with my three guys.

13. Freshly popped pop corn lightly salted - no butter.

14. Dishwashers.

15. Unexpected phone calls from my baby sister.

16. Facebook.

17. Digital photography.

18. "Overcomer" by Mandisa

19. Hitting the thrift store with my awesome friend Cathy.

20. Happy cats that purr themselves to sleep while sitting on your chest.

21. The boys remembering to take the garbage out.

22. Rolly polly pill bugs.

23. Blue birds at my bird feeders in the back yard.

24. Deer that peek out from the woods in the back.

25. The soft buzzing of bees.

26. The smell of leather bound books.

image: Kelly Babb Dalton

27. Sand under my feet and salt in the air.

28. The laughter of Hazellyn [my niece].

29. Late night tea with just my Mom.

30. My Grandmother's accolades.

31. My Grandfather's deep booming voice.

32. Early morning fog.

33. Earl Gray.

34. Piano music.

35. A fresh pedicure.

Happy Thanksgiving. May you enjoy your turkey day and always have much for which to be thankful.

I will see you again December 1st.

Lyrical Deception

Colossians 2:8 -- "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."

As the steam billowed up and fogged my glasses I watched a bloom of tiny bubbles escape the soap nozzle and dance around in the air. I hate doing the dishes. 

image: Ralf Hettler - livinggreenmag.com

At least the cats found the bubbles entertaining.

A bright and happy tune played around in my head to the point of being annoying. I could NOT stop singing the stupid song. Doubly aggravated was I - because not only was I stuck doing my least favorite chore, but now some dumb song wouldn't leave me alone. I left the dishes in the sink and hooked my smart-phone up to my CD player in order to fight the repetitious lyrics spinning around in my brain with some Point Of Grace.

Now THAT's better.

It occurred to me - I didn't even know all the lyrics to the song that had my head so captured in its vice-like grip. But I was singing it. I was tapping my toes and bobbing up and down while the hot water did it's magic on my coffee cup.

Coming up with yet another reason to leave the dishes un-done I went to the computer to look up the song. I didn't even know the name of it, really. But thanks to the musical genius and "photographic" memory of my hubby - I knew the name of the group. 

Wow. 

THAT's what I was singing? The up-beat rhythm and catchy tune had me completely fooled into thinking it was a feel-good song. But in reality, underneath the sunny and shiny exterior - the song was crude, cynical, and all about a person's addiction to crystal meth. 

Well, I had certainly been deceived. 

The whole scenario had me wondering - how often do we allow ourselves to get caught up in things that don't SEEM harmful? On the outside they appear to be good, right, and even noble - but deep down they plant seeds that put deep and detrimental chinks in our spiritual armor.

Like weeds.

Like a Venus Fly Trap - the pretty colors and wonderful aroma appear to be good. To the fly they certainly have some irresistible charm. Just taking a few sips of nectar from those bright petals can't be all that bad, right? I mean, the fly needs energy. It HAS to have food. Food is good for the overall well-being of any of us. But in no time flat the plant snaps shut around the buzzing insect and that will be the end of that. No more buzzing. No more meals. Ever.

Some times the seemingly harmless things with which we get involved don't have immediate lethal consequences - and like the fly, we won't even know we've stepped into a trap until its too late to prevent things from going horribly, horribly wrong.

It's an ageless thing this deception - these spiritual pitfalls and traps. I suppose that's why Paul devotes so much time to the subject in Colossians. And it's a good thing he did. Today I was in great need of the gentle reminder: be careful.

If my focus in squarely on my Savior and the things I KNOW to make him happy - I won't be so easily ensnared by the trappings of the world around me.

Leave It To Newton

I Corinthians 9:24 -- "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."

image: arcticnomad.com

It was in front of me on the old overhead projector in grainy black and white - Newton's first law of motion: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Mr. Kiehlbauch was at the head of the class, dressed in 18th century garb, donning a goofy top-hat. In his right hand he kept tossing a bright red apple up into the air and would lean forward to catch it behind his back. I give him an A for effort. He had some pretty entertaining ways to keep Science interesting. But I confess, it was a struggle to keep my eyes open. Just in from lunch on a 104 degree day in the tropics with the beautiful hum of the air conditioner lolling me into blissful comfort, I admit it: eventually - my head fell to my desk while I pretended to keep notes in my lap.

To this day, I don't know how I managed to pass that class in order to graduate. I'll never forget Mr. Kielbauch, though - and his favorite person of historical interest - Isaac Newton.

It's interesting to me, that Isaac Newton decided to observe the world around him and was somehow the first person to officially write it all down. Obviously gravity worked long before he came along - as did energy - but dear 'ole Isaac put it all down on paper and shared it with everyone. He wasn't really providing NEW information - so much as he was providing a way for us to understand and appreciate it. 

Long before Newton's proverbial apple hit him on the head, Paul was doing the same thing. He was taking information and presenting it to us in a way in which we could understand and appreciate. 

Somehow in my brain this morning - Sir Isaac Newton reached out to shake Paul's hand as they met eye to eye - and there was Mr. Kiehlbauch with a big grin on his face knowing that now - umpteen years after his lesson in Science class - I finally get it.

We are in motion, dear friends. Jesus put us into motion when we accepted his mercy and grace. And for most of us most of the time - we can keep right on going with the same energy and speed we had when we first became believers. There are, however, moments when our energy gets tripped up by unbalanced forces. 

During those moments when we struggle to keep pace and put one foot in front of the other, Paul is there on the sidelines with a nice cold Gatorade. 

Everybody is running, Paul reminds us. There is, however, only ONE prize. We've got to run to win. Doing half the job is NOT getting the job done. 

When we find ourselves buffeted by unbalanced forces, it's time for us to redouble our efforts.  Push through the pain in our muscles and the ache in our bones. Cling to the promises in God's Word and stretch beyond ourselves. It is NOT a moment to fall with our heads to our desk and our notes in our laps. It's' time for us to dig in our heels and press forward.

After all, we are not the only ones pushing toward the finish line.

Like Dragon Trees [Part 2]

Psalm 90:12 -- "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." [NASB]

Underneath the blazing sun on rocky crags - underneath the blessed sparse shade of the Dragon Tree on the island of Soqotra - tiny little puffs of green cling to a harsh life. 

image: globaltrees.org

With spiny fingers outstretched, the Blood Dragon Tree grabs moisture from sea mists that come in off the Indian Ocean. On an island that sees little rain - plant life has to be creative in order to obtain water for thirsty roots. An umbrella shaped canopy of tightly packed waxy spiny leaves gives the Dragon Tree an advantage. Since the rain won't fall to the ground, the tree reaches up toward the sky and takes it from the clouds.

Little is lost to the air and the ground within the dense mass of branches above the Dragon Tree's trunk. Any droplets it collects slowly roll down toward the center of the tree. Very rarely will dew drops escape and fall the the dry earth below. But it is those very rare losses in a parched landscape that afford enough water for other plants to grow. Scrub grass huddles closely to the umbrella shade and drinks up every single droplet that falls to the ground. Underneath the budding canopy, the grass is rescued from a burning sun and escapes being scorched. 

It's safe to say that without the Blood Dragon Tree, these few clumps of scrub grass wouldn't thrive. The grass would have no water and it certainly would have no shade. 

Just as Paul encouraged us to be a different kind of plant on this Earth in his letter to the Romans, the writer of Psalm 92 encourages us to be mindful of our days upon it. Do we allow enough dew drops to fall from our branches onto a thirsty world? Are we wise with our use of spiritual nourishment? 

You will see that a Blood Dragon Tree thriving in desert terrain does not waste what little water it manages to collect. But it will also encourage the growth of other plant life with its unique use of spiny leaves. From the wide green fingers making its own umbrella, life-giving moisture falls to the dust on the rocks underneath and feeds the very thirsty roots of others.

In our lush green free country that offers an abundance of nourishment we often take for granted, are we being wasteful with the blessings God has afforded? Do we take everything we can from our Christian brethren at church? At Bible study? From our praise music? Do we share what we glean from these encounters?

I want to be like the Dragon Tree - with its fingers outstretched to collect the graces of our Lord - to grow and flower in a dry dusty land - so that I can share that amazing life-saving grace with those that so desperately need it. 

Like Dragon Trees [Part 1]

Romans 12:2 -- "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." [NLT]

Image: Michael Melford - National  Geographic

Stark, dry land provided the perfect surface for the shadows cast by the clouds. Rolling over some of the rockiest and driest earth on the planet. The dancing puffs of white over head only tease the thirsty landscape. It doesn't really rain in this desert. 


Jagged granite mountain terrain is not where you might expect to find a flowering tree. In fact, on limestone plateaus and sheer rock faces regularly beaten by high winds - you might not expect to find any vegetation at all growing - much less thriving. The plain truth is that customary plant life would die if attempting to root on the very isolated island of Soqotra. ...Which is one reason the Blood Dragon Tree is so very special. 

Flowering Dragon Tree - Image: arkive.org

The thickly trunked umbrella shaped Dragon Tree doesn't "think" like other plants. It can't. It would die. Instead of copying the behavior of other vegetation this amazing tree reaches up toward the teasing clouds with spiny fingers that shade its roots from a blazing sun. With a tightly packed canopy of dark green, the Blood Dragon Tree catches tiny droplets of water that roll in on sea mists from the Indian Ocean. And on these miniscule forms of moisture - the tree grows. And flowers. For a very long time. 

Where other life would tuck tail and run, this phenomenal desert tree knows that life on Soqotra can be good and pleasing and perfect. But it sure didn't arrive at that pleasing place by behaving like the other plants of this world. Nope. It is very, very different. There is no other plant on this earth quite like it. Its flowers aren't colorful. Its branches don't - well, branch out. It grows on rocks covered with a little bit of dust. It even bleeds. The highly sought-after sap is so red that island locals call it the blood of the dragon. Hence the name: Blood Dragon Tree. 

I wonder if Paul knew about this tree. I think he'd be pleased. In Romans 12 he urges we followers of Jesus NOT to copy the behaviors of those around us. He encourages us to change our entire way of thinking. Now THAT can be difficult. After all - it truly IS hard to teach an old dog new tricks. But nobody knew that better than Paul. His words can encourage and inspire us not only because they are good words, but because we know that Paul has walked the very rocky path to change, himself. He can personally vouch for the good and pleasing will of God. He grew into a person like no other on this planet. And man - his flowers really took! Providing seeds that kept on giving and giving and giving. 

Now THAT is what I want to do. I want to be like the Blood Dragon Tree.

At Your Bidding

Luke 5:5 -- "And Simon answered and said, 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets.' "

image: Dave Clark - Back  Deck Blog - www.juneautek.com

The moon sat there, low to the Ocean - hovering over the fishing boats that rocked back and forth on calm seas. I could see them from my bedroom window high in the hills above Times Beach in Davao City, Philippines. Though the shore was miles away, the moon light offered up a beautiful scene. I'd managed to wake up at a horribly early hour and couldn't get back to sleep. The rest of the house stayed tucked away in their dreamy Z's - so I sat there quietly, looking out over the bay down below. Somewhere high in the Mango tree that hung over our back fence, a fruit bat squeaked and flapped it's wings - probably having a bit of juicy breakfast. But my attention was sternly on the fishing boats and the bright full moon.

Everything I know about fishing could probably fit in a thimble.  But I do remember that in the Davao Bay, no matter what time it was when I woke in the night - the boats were out there casting nets. ...And... when Peter first met Jesus, he mentioned that he'd been working through the night, throwing out his lines with his every effort. Each time Peter pulled the nets out of the water there was nothing to show for it. Not a single fish flopping around in confusion.

Suffice it to say - unlike me - Peter knew a great deal about fishing. He'd been doing it forever. He knew that the best place to fish was close to the shore - in the dark - when the fish come in to feed on whatever it is they can't find in the deep. In fact, Peter was a pro.

image: www.strangezoo.com

Which is why I can practically FEEL his frustration when Jesus approached in the wee hours of breaking sunlight. Peter had done everything right. He'd been in the right spot at the right time. But there was nothing to show for his diligence. He had to have been a little less than enthusiastic when the son of a carpenter gave him advise on how to fish. Not to mention - he was probably more than a little tired after casting and pulling in heavy nets all night long. So, I can totally understand it if Peter was a bit snippy when he told Jesus he'd been fishing for hours the right way - but, since Jesus told him to - he would go try it the way Jesus instructed.

In the middle of the lake. In the daylight.

I wasn't there, I don't really know if Peter felt snippy, but I think I would. There is nothing more frustrating than dotting all your I's and crossing all your T's, playing by every single rule in the book, and following the recipe directions precisely - only to be met with failure. Or maybe it's not even failure - maybe it just simply isn't rewarding.

However - like the cute little kitty says on the motivational poster, hang in there. Doing things God's way, the RIGHT way - will pay out when it's all said and done. Just remember Peter! After trying one more time - doing things the way Jesus said to do them, Simon Peter's nets came up full and heavy.

Yours will, too.

Colony Collapse Disorder

Matthew 5:15 -- "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lamp-stand: and it gives light to all who are in the house."

image: reddit.com

Taking in a good deep breath I can smell rain and wet earth. A gentle flash of light and the sound of thunder give way to tiny drops of water that collect on my skin and make the hair stand up. I have forgotten all about the broken wheel of my grocery cart, my list, and all that needs doin'. Instead, I find myself enjoying the little rain storm in the produce department.

The colorful collection of fruits and vegetables never ceases to catch my attention and leave me joyful. It is amazing what God has provided for us through the tending of soil. Seeing the sweet yellows, the bright reds, and deep greens, it might surprise you that out of every three bites of food we take in this country - at least one would not be there if it weren't for pollinators. In fact, in his work entitled The Life Of The Bee Maurice Maeterlinck once said: "Remove the bee from the earth and at the same stroke you remove at least one hundred thousand plants that will not survive."

That's a pretty huge number! Just think about all the things we eat. And then - what all the things that we eat, eat. Plants are the very foundation of any food chain and of the two types of plant reproduction on this planet, one is pollination. If you do the math - half of the plants on this planet use pollination to survive. That's staggering when you think about it.

In October of 2006 a man by the name of David Hackenberg went out to his numerous bee hives to check on the progress of things just as he had been doing since 1962. But on this morning something was wrong. David began to notice a disturbing trend in his bee colonies. On that fateful day in October, David calculated that he'd lost 80% of his bee farm. It was strange. They'd been there the day before.  In the affected hives there was still a queen present and even several stages of young brood - but all of the workers were simply gone. This odd disappearance would come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

image: commons.wikimedia.org

David wasn't the only one to have this problem. After he blew the whistle on what might become the beginning of our own - human colony collapse - it was learned that England, Australia, Italy, Taiwan, and several other countries were suffering from the same horrible bee loss. Some may ignore this delima, putting it on the back burner and calling it simply strange - but the way I see it - we are at the brink of a an enormous loss of plant life, fruit and vegetable production, and food on the table. Can you imagine a world without bees? I have a hard time wrapping my head around it - it's frightening.

Colony Collapse Disorder is a really scary thing, to be sure - but even more frightening to me, is the darkness falling over a nation that was originally built on the light of God and the freedom to openly worship Him. What is WRONG with us? Are we going the way of the  European Honey Bee? Are WE at the brink of collapse because bit by bit, law by law - God is being removed from the fundamentals and back-bone of our country?

image: sparkylaurie.blogspot.com

The obvious place to notice that we've removed God from daily life would be the schools, but it goes so much deeper than that. At the doctor's office not too long ago, my son mentioned he'd been praying about a certain situation. He even quoted scripture to reinforce his faithfulness regarding his delima. The doctor looked at him and then at me - as if she were afraid we might sprout an extra arm or horns or something. After deep and careful consideration she mentioned another Bible verse that might encourage my son. His face lit up. She, however, became increasingly nervous. It was then that she said to me in a hushed voice - since he brought it up, I think I can share with you that I am also a Christian, but I cannot initiate that conversation.

What?! Why not?! I couldn't believe what was hearing! I mean, we hadn't somehow been transported to a different country or anything. This happened right here, in the US - in Florida! Have we really become so paranoid and timid that we can't openly share the light and love of God in public? What would happen to our doctor if she openly confessed she serves Christ? Would they actually fire her? Can they even do that?

Wow - all of humanity NEEDS the light of Jesus Christ. Matthew even reiterated this in chapter 5 - more than once. How many of us would be the David Hackenberg of Chrtitianity? When will we stand up to blow the whistle on a devastating disappearance?

Kudos to the kid that prayed while delivering a speech at his high school graduation here at Orange Park High - even though he'd been told that he could not do that in public assembly. Kudos to the person in the grocery store that said "God bless you"  [and not just bless you] the other day when I sneezed. And hip-hip-hooray to my family attorney who sends out Christmas cards every single year with the image of a nativity scene emblazoned on the front of them and Merry Christmas clearly printed on the inside.

We're coming up on the holiday season, folks. What can we do put more LIGHT into our celebration? I can't help but think that the human race may be coming up on our darkest hour. Let's encourage the boldness of LIGHT.

[wanna' know more about Colony Collapse Disorder and Pollinators? check out: pollinator.org, hackenbergapiaries.org, ars.usda.gov/ccd, and nrdc.org]

Say Anything

Isaiah 40:9 -- "Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily...say to the cities of Judah, 'Here is your God!'"

Every step forward was sharp, jagged pain and even his very breathing burned like a flame, but his life depended on taking the next step - and then the next - and then the next.

Separated from Lewis and Clark, John Coulter had become badly wounded in an escape from some blood-thirsty Blackfeet Tribe members defending their territory and hunting rights. In a real-life "most dangerous game" Coulter had been stripped naked and told to run for his life. Miraculously, he managed to elude the Tribal Hunters and barely made it to Manuel's Fort where the telling of his tale would forever put him in the Anals of American History.

It wasn't just suspense and adventure of which John spoke, however, and it was actually the colorful description of the setting within which his exploits unfolded that caught the attention of artist Thomas Moran. The combination of story-teller and landscape artist would go on to change our Country's legacy forever. Within the visions of these two men - was the budding and growing endeavor to preserve part of our national natural beauty by written law. The inspiration kindled by Coulter and Moran lead to the very first National Park in the entire world. Once a federal law was in place for the preservation of some of America's most beautiful places - the rest of the world would follow suit. Nationally protected parks are now available in almost every country on the globe.

And just think - none of it would have happened if one man had decided to keep his mouth shut.

[for more information on the history of our great National Parks and the works of Thomas "Yellowstone" Moran, go to www.thomas-moran.org, npca.org, and pbs.org]

You and I have been charged with spreading The Good News. It doesn't get any plainer than in the book of Isaiah where we are told to go up on the highest mountain and lift our voices mightily! We might not see the fruits of our labor immediately and often we aren't exactly thanked for our efforts - but the consequences that may come if we don't go and tell could be absolutely devastating. 

Think on this; It's largely due to conservation and preservation efforts that the North American Beaver is still alive. The same can be said for the Sperm Whale, the Florida Panther, and the Kakapo of New Zealand. The trickle down effect of a world without National Parks would be staggering!

So would be the trickle down effect of a world without Jesus. We are already able to see what happens to a nation when God is largely removed from the training and teaching of our children or when we collectively remove Christ from Christmas. What would happen if God were not here at all? I don't think it's ever been MORE important for us to call attention to our Lord, God, and Savior!

So say it! Say ANYTHING about God! Call attention to His vast works and amazing grace. You never know how very far your words may be carried.