Beautiful, isn't it?

Working together for Creative Goodness

John 21 ~ While Peter the impetuous denier, John the Beloved and several others were fishing on their Sea of Galilee worksite, Jesus appeared. They had caught nothing so Jesus advised where to cast their nets. 153 large fish later, they lugged the great catch towards shore and were greeted with the *slavor of fish and warm coals. "Breakfast is served ~ come eat."

Now what a different day these men experienced with Jesus' help. Jesus rescued them from a fruitless fishless day on the Sea, lit the coals and prepared breakfast. Think how frustrating their day would have been if Jesus had not partnered with them in their work.

I wonder how many fruitlessly frustrating days we've endured on our own? Imagine the bounty of repercussive goodness in and through our actions day in and day out with Jesus setting the lyrics and humming the tune. And surely this Partnership Principle applies to our families, raising children, serving and blessing all we meet. We are not alone. We never will be...

The Graduates

Gladly presenting the 2008 graduates ~ Congratulations to Joy Kathryn MacMurchy Navratil on the successful completion of a social work degree from MSUM, Moorhead, MN. Also Morgan Jo Klein moves on to kindergarten after bringing the house down at Rainbow Preschool. I can't imagine how much they will miss Morgan's lightbulb personality. Thanx to mama Elissa for investing in the fine shaping of the next generation.

Joy spoke often of being a missionary when she was a child. And so she is. Wherever Joy invests her time, talent and tender heart, she will be doing God's work for His glory and the delight of all who encounter her. JoyFul, MeritCare is lucky to have you caring for hospital patients and families.

I'm racking my brain trying to think how to tie in the Taekwondo pic. It's the best I had since Joy didn't march at graduation, but she will kick buns in the marketplace?! No, that doesn't really dovetail with bringing the Good News. Ah, maybe she'll be a missionary in Korea someday and ready for any attacks. That's a stretch but we'll go with it.

Believe in the power of words

Words are ideas and ideas move the world. For good or for ill. That is the premise of the movie "The Great Debaters." It's a moving movie. I watched it two days in a row just to squeeze the marrow from the bone.

Enchanted, engrossed, enraptured, ravished...by words, by ideas. By The Word

Why do I frequently post Professor Dallas Willard excerpts? Because his words make my heart ache with longing. In the hope that some who are thirsty will gravitate to the possibility of abundance like a compass needle to north.

I well recall the stirrings of my own heart towards the hope that I could live “with the gleam of a better country in my eye." The flambeau was words.

So for all who are thirsty and hungry drink deeply or at least believe in the power of words.

Don’t think for a moment that Americanized Christianity is remotely close to all there is. It is not. Listen...again.

“In Jesus was life and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 NAS)

Believe in the power of words. Specifically One Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. His is the Voice.

Life from hidden sources

Jesus invites you to live in His Kingdom.

"Think of a desert landscape. Dust and dryness as far as you can see. But right in the middle of it a spring of water bubbles up, forming a pool of life and refreshment for all who come by. Do you have that picture?

Now the spring and the pool are in the desert but they are not of it. They do not partake of the nature of the desert but of rain and snow and limpid streams on far away mountains that feed the springs through hidden passageways in the earth. We know how that works. Think of this applying to you. Indeed, it applies to everyone who makes contact with Jesus Christ and draws life from Him." Commencement speech, Dallas Willard

Breathtakingly Good News

Is it true that "Earth has no sorrow
that heaven can't heal?"
It is true!

That is precisely the gospel of heaven's availability that comes to us through the Beatitudes. And you don't have to wait until you're dead. Jesus offers to all people the present blessedness of the present Kingdom - regardless of circumstances. The condition of life sought for by human beings through the ages is attained in the quietly transforming friendship of Jesus.

Color help

I'm having my exterior house painted and the jury's out on the color. Robert and I had talked about a nice green way back in the day but lately I've been struck with the vibrancy of my Indian Red countertop similar to the color on the inside of the arch.

So help me Hannah, if we call it 'mauve' the male neighbors will string me up. So we're going with Indian Red. Beats the heck out of beige which is the whole blasted neighborhood.

Feel free to weigh in on this, Oh Blogsters! But no casting aspersions if you prefer beige and despise mauve!

Denver Aquarium