Silence in the Listening

"Listen is an anagram for silent. What is noisy in your life?" (J, BSF teaching leader)
As I considered J's question, common sources came to mind: TV, radio, iPods -- my own inner voice. . .

I need more expendable cash (!) for Pat's upcoming wedding, a new pair of shoes, a piano tune up, some minor home repairs. . . Maybe I need to get a job. I prayed about God's revelation in this matter, but so far I have not heard from Him.

(I wonder why!) I signed up to sub; that's a good-paying job, but I can sub only two days a week, and I just never seem to be organized enough to work it into my schedule. I had good intentions when I signed up! I've applied for some online jobs, but nothing came of those. Maybe God's silence and lack of action means He doesn't want me to have a job right now. Maybe my work at BSF is job enough. But if that's the case, then where am I going to get the money for the wedding?" And I'm off to the races! UGH!

Studying Isaiah 53 this week, I was reminded and, once again, amazed at Jesus' silence before his accusers. "He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, he did not open his mouth." (Verse 7) Some 700 years later, Christ stood before His accusers and uttered not a word.

Charles Spurgeon writes: "Nothing can be said to to excuse human guilt; and therefore, He who bore its whole weight stood speechless before His judge. Evidently our Lord, furnished a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. A long defense of Himself would have been contrary to Isaiah's prediction." (heartlight.org)

Jesus is the ultimate model of silence. Long before He faced His accusers and the Cross, He spent hours alone with the Father, seeking to hear His voice. I doubt Jesus filled the solitary space and time with a litany of comments or a running dialogue of obsessive worries! I doubt He chattered on so long that He couldn't hear the Father speak! No, He was silent.

And this morning, He calls me to

Be still and know that He is God.
Bow before the Prince of Peace.
Let the noise and clamor cease.
Be still.
(Stephen Curtis Chapman)

The One and Only Writing Project

The National Writing Project's federal funding has fallen victim to the federal earmark cuts. By April 1, the NWP is hoping for 1000 posts from teachers who have participated in and know the value of their work to convince Congress to restore the funds in its upcoming budget. If you have been involved in the NWP, please take a little time to write something. The Dept. of Education is following this movement.

In twenty-nine years as a high school English teacher, I have been involved with many professional development activities, but the only thing I remember gaining from many of them is a faculty t-shirt meant to jump start team spirit. The one exception has been the work of the National Writing Project, which offers authentic professional development opportunities to educators.

Too often PD is a one size-fits-all presentation by an independent business that talks at teachers, offering simplified solutions to complicated concerns. Not so, with the NWP, which takes a different tactic by using “the knowledge, leadership, and best practices of effective teachers . . . sharing that knowledge with other teachers" (History of NWP - National Writing Project). This teachers-teaching-teachers philosophy is the strength of the Project because professional growth does not occur in contrived circumstances, but in locally formed, self-directed exchanges with like-minded colleagues.

Two other strengths (among many) are the sustainable programs of NWP sites across the country and the diversity of their teacher consultants. Urban, suburban, and rural teachers from different grade levels or different disciplines find common ground as they explore theory, customize strategies to fit their students’ needs, and most importantly, write – to explore, to learn, to grow as both writers and teachers. The WP work is always undergirded by solid educational fundamentals as it also stays abreast of trends and cultural changes. Workshops and other programs include follow-up meetings and networking, so participants stay connected, share outcomes, and offer continual support. These same teachers are often the catalyst for staff development within their schools and/or departments.

The road paved with professional development opportunities leads to the heart of the NWP: the students. Invigorated teachers spark invigorated learning, and I have personally found the truth of this through my association with the Greater Kansas City Writing Project. What I've gained there changed me as both a person and teacher, and in turn, I am confident that I have presented students with opportunities to grow as writers and thinkers because of its influence.

I understand why Congress is attempting to stop wasteful spending. However, it disturbs me that (at least in this case) educational funds fall into the category of 'earmarks.' I encourage Congress to rewrite legislation that will categorize these funds differently. In the meantime, I sincerely hope our representatives and senators will listen to the hundreds of teachers visiting them this week and restore the funds for the proven successful, one and only Writing Project.

The Little Hen That Brooded

Recently my friend Jan shared, "I know God can do what I pray for, but I don't know if He wants to, so I think I need to worry!"

In light of what she said, God showed me I mistake brooding for praying and gave me a picture of myself as a little hen who sits on her nest, believing if I brood there long enough, one of the eggs will hatch a solution to my situation! It's such a waste of time and only ends in perplexity and anxiety.

The Bible Study Fellowship study of Isaiah has given me a glimpse of the immensity and enormity of God. Yet, the Creator of the universe, the orchestrator of history, has the time and the inclination to give me His tender, singular attention.

He is trustworthy and faithful and calls me to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." He doesn't promise every prayer will be answered as we hope, but He does promise when I follow this direction, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Two True Stories

This true story, which I heard a long time ago, came to mind this past Wednesday:

One particular Sunday morning, there was a terrible snowstorm. The pastor of a community church did not know what to do about the service. His wife encouraged him to cancel because no one would be coming out in the horrendous weather, but in reflection, the pastor did not feel right to do that, so he went ahead to the church and prepared for the service. Only two young boys were in attendance that day, and after the sermon, both boys came forward and said they wanted to become Christians. The pastor knelt at the altar with those boys and led them to Christ. One of them was the pastor's son.

~ ~ ~

Wednesday morning greeted the Greater Kansas City area with two inches of snow -- a mere dusting after the blizzard conditions of a week ago, but it made the drive to Bible Study Fellowship slippery and tense. By the time I arrived at the church, the administrative team was shuffling and moving small groups (so no one would have to cross the parking lot to meet in an adjacent building), the whole time being bombarded with questions as class members and visitors arrived. The lobby was crowded and noisy with ladies picking up lessons for friends who didn't brave the bad weather. A bit 'shell shocked' and "rattled" is how one administrative leader described us.

The entire time our teaching leader (JS) felt pulled and pressed, thinking, "Why didn't I just cancel?" Group leaders meet for pre-prayer, but J couldn't escape the chaos to get to the room. Hurrying, she said her heart "pounded with nervousness, but when I walked through the door, it was like I entered the throne room of heaven. I did in a way because we were in the presence of our great God! All that tension left, and tears of relief and comfort just flowed out of me. I was so touched and humbled by the grace of God and all of the leaders' tender, precious prayers! It was beautiful and just what I needed; probably what we all needed."

I shared the story about the pastor and his son with JS, and we agreed God reminds us that He is sovereign over snowy roads, icy parking lots, crowded classrooms, ticking clocks and upset plans. His purposes will be accomplished no matter how chaotic things appear.

We learned through the study of Isaiah that comfort means "with strength," and JS concludes, "That's exactly what I received during those few minutes in prayer with you all. The 'chaos' was over in my heart, and I could face the rest of the morning with His strength. Just like that pastor found out one Sunday morning . . . if one person was touched by the Lord Wednesday morning, then that wildness was worth it all!"

Thanks to JS for allowing me to use the text she wrote in an email message to create this post.

Pitfalls for a Christian

The Apathy of Time Passing
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but wise, making the most of the time for the days are evil."

The Pride of Multi-tasking
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
James 4:6b "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble

The Frenzy of an Over-Committed Schedule
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore, the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it."
Hebrews 4:3 "For we who have believed enter that rest."

The Lull of Materialism
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world."

Looking to the Government to Supply Our Needs
Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory."
Matt. 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well."

Joseph's Song

My friend Don introduced me to this beautiful Christmas arrangement and lyrics. The melody is haunting and the words heartfelt as Joseph, an ordinary man, finds himself in an extraordinary position as the earthly father to the Son of God. Overcome by the enormity of this role, he beseeches, "Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours."

Joseph's circumstances were unique, but his desire to know God's will for his life is as old as time itself. A child of God longs to understand God's plan for his/her life, no matter what the situation -- job loss, illness, death of a loved one, retirement, marriage, divorce, widowhood, graduation, becoming a parent, beginning a new job -- the list is endless. The answers as varied as the individuals who are seeking.

Yet, God assures us of this much: "For I know the plans I have for you. . . “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 )

Listen here: Joseph's Song. And may God reveal His plan for you this Christmas season.

So Much Rests on The

In the Book of John, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Chapter 14, Verse 6)

He did not say He is a way.
He did not say He is one way.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Your answer will determine the spiritual abundance of your earthly life.
Your answer will determine where you spend eternity.

Autumn in the Midwest

The autumn leaves. . .

Waltz across tawny lawns
In golden gowns,
Swaying, swirling
to the symphony of the wind.


Tumble across
The mat of asphalt streets
Like acrobats,
Colliding in exhausted heaps
Of red and orange.


Play tag among passing cars
Like naughty children;
Auburn hair in tangles,
Whispering secrets as they scatter.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Recently a college friend whom I see only occasionally told me that I looked young, beautiful and happy!

Now, it was nice to be regarded as young and beautiful, especially when the reflection in the mirror reveals a sixty-year-old face with lines around the mouth, a slackness in the jaw, and dark circles under the eyes. The image is definitely not air-brushed!

But when I heard the word HAPPY, my heart leaped because that is a transformational gift from God! Through biblically based counseling at Living Foundation Ministries, God renewed my mind (Romans 12:2) and healed my broken heart (Isaiah 61:1) as He unraveled the tangled threads of depression and perfectionistic thinking embedded so deeply within me. Recovery demanded a lot of tears and a lot of prayers, but over time, I began to notice a deep joy bubbling within.

What joy
to be free of false guilt
to be free of unhealthy shame
to walk in the grace of God
to laugh at myself
to be authentic
to enjoy people with all their quirks and foibles
to love them with abandon
to experience God's faithfulness and redemption

Life is not perfect; I am not perfect! When pounded by busyness, grief, or fatigue, this spring seems to slow to a trickle. But, in truth, life's stresses and burdens will never squelch this bubbling joy, for it is the Living Water (John 7:38) Jesus Christ who said, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water . . . shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14).

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Daddy

My dad passed November 29 after a brief illness. My oldest son Jeff and I collaborated on writing his eulogy, and Jeff delivered it. I will miss him for the rest of my life, and I share it here to honor a wonderful man.

Walter Hugh Young was born February 1, 1925, to Dr. Edward Lee Young, Sr., and Alma Johnson Young at the family’s home on South 5th Street in Grandview. His older brother Edward, Jr., was four at the time. Dr. Young had a successful veterinary practice and was the first mayor of Grandview and Alma, who worked hard maintaining the home, was involved in garden clubs and church functions. In his memoirs, Uncle Edward described the four of them as a “happy, loving family.”

Someone told Grandpa’s dad that when a person’s initials spell a word, that person will become a millionaire. Though not a superstitious man, his dad still chose his son’s name, so the initials spelled a word – Why? No, that is what the initials spelled - WHY. Grandpa loved to tell this story and always pointed out that, at least in his case, the idea didn’t work! Grandpa didn’t much like the name Walter and was glad the family chose to call him Hugh.

On March 1, 1933, the family moved from the house on 5th Street to a farm they owned on 150 Highway. Uncle Edward has noted this was when “A great adventure began.” The boys had lots of chores at the farm. They made butter from the fresh cow’s milk, dried the dishes, kept the basement coal and wood bins stocked, snapped green beans, hulled peas, milked cows, watered livestock, etc., but there was still plenty of time for fun!

A favorite play spot was the pond. Grandpa, Edward and their cousins John and Claude Makin made little boats from scrap wood and keels from empty Prince Albert tobacco cans. They added a square sail and let the wind blow the boats across the pond. When John and Edward were about fourteen, their parents permitted them to carry .22 caliber rifles and shotguns. The boys redesigned the boats by boring a hole in the cockpit, so it would accommodate a small burning candle. Then using their father's empty, discarded medicine bottles filled with gasoline, they sailed the boats across the pond, shooting at the bottle with the rifles. When a bottle broke from the shot, the candle flame would ignite the gasoline, and with the sense of accomplishment boys can enjoy, they would watch the boats burn to the water line.

When a former neighbor’s husband died, she gave the boys (with their parents’ permission) his .22 caliber rifle. For two or so years after, Grandpa would walk the farm plinking at selected targets, becoming an expert marksman. Edward would even throw small, discarded vaccine glass bottles into the air 30 or 40 feet, and Hugh would break these every time. For such amazing accuracy, Edward nicknamed him "Dead-Eye Dick."

One summer a man who operated pony-riding rings boarded 10 ponies at the Young farm. He told Dr. Young that it would be fine if his sons wanted to ride them. So, they did. The boys rode bareback and tied clotheslines around the ponies’ lower jaws to guide them. Most of the time, Uncle Edward says they just rode them as fast as they could. But they didn’t just ride them.

They got some croquet mallets and wooden balls and had polo games. After the sunflowers matured in late summer, they cut the stalks and used them for lances and jousted like knights of old, trying to knock each other off the ponies.

During his school years, Grandpa was a member Grandview United Methodist Church and 4-H. At school, he participated in basketball and baseball and served as president of Grandview High School’s student council. The teachers provided Hugh with an excellent education. He was interested in history and literature and had a knack for writing and memorization. Through the years, he often quoted passages from the classics that he had read and studied. Grandma says Grandpa was a favorite of Mrs. Suddath, his English teacher.

Grandpa had many childhood friends, in addition to his brother and cousins. One of them was Lee Soxman, Jr. who is with us today, another Roy Kilby. Grandpa’s mother tucked several Valentines cards in his baby book, and most of them are from Roy through the elementary school years. Kathy remembers one evening her parents answered a knock on the door, and there stood Roy and Minnie Skeens Kilby dropping by for an unannounced visit. From that day on, the Youngs and Kilbys went out to dinner and played pinochle every Saturday night until Roy died in 1974. The two of them ventured into the automatic car wash business in the 1960s. Somehow they managed to turn one hour’s work of cleaning out the stalls, emptying the coin machines, and restocking supplies into two or three! Grandma and Minnie suggested the two alternate turns. That worked for awhile, but Roy and Grandpa had too much fun together to keep to that schedule.

One day during Grandpa’s senior year in high school, he was sitting in home room when a new student – a cute, petite, saucy brunette -- walked into the room and his life. He turned to Minnie and said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!”

But those thoughts of marriage were soon put on hold. About a month after graduating, at the age of 18, that Grandpa received his draft notice. He was so excited, so ready to defend his country, that he ran into the retaining wall by the basement door as he entered the house and bruised his face!

He served in the Army’s 422nd Infantry, 106th Division. Stationed in Belgium and France, his unit saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. Grandpa didn’t like to talk much about his war experiences, but finally, in 2000, he did write his war memoirs because he thought it important to preserve this personal bit of history for future progeny. He received a Bronze Star for his service and was proud to have helped stop the spread of Nazism.

Still, I remember asking him about how he and his fellow American soldiers had been labeled as this country’s Greatest Generation. I questioned if he thought that was an accurate description as I took some issue with that. Somewhat surprised, I found Grandpa agreed with me. He always commented that the greatest generation consisted of the men who founded this country, for many of them gave their fortunes, their property, and their lives to establish the United States. Grandpa had great respect for them and a great pride in America.

Two and a half years after being drafted, and seven months after being discharged from the Army, that saucy brunette from high school, Dixie Jean Fizer and Hugh were indeed married by a justice of the peace on June 16th in Olathe, KS. In their playful fashion, they disagreed about why one married the other. Grandpa claims his declaration to Minnie. Grandma claims, “I always told him, ‘I picked you to be the father of my children.’”

Grandpa went to work for McGlone Road Construction. So, he and Grandma purchased a trailer, and for the next several years, the family lived in Nebraska and various places in Missouri. During that time, they had two daughters Kathy Jean born in 1950 and Judith Ann born in 1952. When Kathy neared school age, the family returned to Grandview, so she and Judy would not have to change school districts as they grew. At first, the family parked the trailer west of the Young farm house. Later, they built a home east of the house, and in the early 70s when the state claimed eminent domain to widen 150, Grandpa and Uncle Edward built homes farther off the road. Grandma and Grandpa lived there for 30 years before recently moving to a smaller home still here in Grandview.

After leaving the McGlone Construction, Grandpa went to work for Hydro Butane Gas and later worked for Dusselier Brothers Concrete, then retired from RED Concrete in 1990. Grandpa LOVED retirement. The extra time gave him new hours to devote to his passions: traveling, fishing, and hunting.

When Kathy and Judy were children, they visited Grandma’s sister and family in the St. Louis area, but in later years, Grandpa and Grandma vacationed in much of the United States, focusing on sites that were connected to American history. Grandpa’s favorite seemed to be the “Big Sky” country of Montana. When their daughters were grown, Grandpa and Grandma continued to travel, making almost yearly fishing trips to Canada.

The best trip of all, however, had to be to Europe. Instead of a 50th wedding anniversary party, Grandma and Grandpa invited Kathy and Judy to join them as they visited most of the places Grandpa had been stationed in WWII. It was the trip of a life time and a special time for the four of them.

A member of Missouri Conservation, Hugh enjoyed raising and training pointers and loved hunting with these dogs. His daughters can not remember a time their dad did not own a pointer – usually more than one. We have pictures of two-year-old Judy posing the pet Brittany as she had seen her daddy do during field trial dog shows. From the time they were toddlers, the family dined on dove, squirrel and rabbit – although Kathy worried that might have been Thumper – and quail, oh yes, lots of quail.

Quail is considered a delicacy in many five-star restaurants, and my dad looked forward to his first quail dinner after hearing the others rave. He was stunned when he saw how small the pieces were and how many he had to eat before he was full!

When the family built their home in 1970, the dogs were not left out, being housed in their very own brick building! Grandma said if she was going to look out the kitchen window at dog pens, she wanted it to be an attractive view! The walls of the living room are covered with photographs of dogs on point in the field: Pokey, Belle, Sue, Sweetie, Rip, and Tyrell -- just to name a few. Grandpa’s last pointer was Scout, who, when he no longer hunted, became the family’s 6th grandchild. To be sure, Scout didn’t stay in that nice brick dog pen; she made it to the house! When my grandparents dined out and asked for a doggie bag – it was literally food for the dog!

Through the years, Grandma and Grandpa were blessed with five grandchildren: Pat, Beth, Kristin, Sara, and myself. They were and are the delight of their lives. He survived his first great-grandson, Brock but is survived by three great-granddaughters: Kara, Anna, and Lydia, visits with whom he very much enjoyed.

Suffering through the onset of Alzheimer’s didn’t rob Grandpa of the joy he had in life. His doctor mentioned that it was unusual for someone to keep his sense of humor like he did. That is just one of the many things those of us who knew and loved him best will remember about him – a fun-loving, caring, gracious, gentle, generous, hard-working man who was a faithful husband of 63 years, a good father, a kind-hearted grandpa, and a proud great-grandpa.

Thank you all for sharing in his memories with us today as we celebrate a life that will be greatly missed, but a life we all hope we may one day see again in the glories of Heaven.

Satisfaction

What satisfies me?

• Celebrating special occasions and holidays with family
• Reading a good novel: one that pulls me into the setting and lives of its characters, one that leaves me thinking about that place and those people for days afterward
• Viewing the night sky through my telescope
• Smelling spring in the April air after March's cold and blustery rain
• Lingering over lunch with good friends
• Presenting someone I love with the perfect gift
• Enjoying dinner and a movie with my dear husband
• Playing with my granddaughters
• Finding bargains when I shop
• Sorting clutter and getting organized
• Spending Sunday morning worshipping God through music and study

This week in Bible Study Fellowship we covered John 4, where in Verse 34, Jesus tells His disciples, "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing His work." (the Living Bible)

This question was presented: What should a Christian who does not have "heart" satisfaction do to find the same meaning in life? At first, I listed

• Spend time alone with God
• Meditate on His Word
• Surrender to the Holy Spirit
• Pray for the Him to infill and guide
• Confess sin immediately
• Share Jesus with others

Then I stopped to re-read a referenced verse in Acts 20:24, where Paul says, ". . . neither do I count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (King James)

To allow God to order my time in service to Him, to rest and abide in the confidence that He can take care of my life's details while placing me just where He needs me at any given moment, to place His kingdom work at the top of my to-do list, to pray for the grace to share Jesus with any needy soul, to let go and let God -- herein lies true "heart" satisfaction.

Well-Wishers

This was posted at my former blog "marmee's musings in April, 2006. Today my Bible study included John 4 and reminded me of this post. It appears here for the first time.

I have a definite image of what a well should look like: a stone and mortar structure, topped with a rack-shambled roof and a sturdy, cranking handle to lower and raise the bucket that dangles from a rope. The kind that might be depicted in a children's book with old-fashioned illustrations. The kind you throw a penny in and make a wish.

My grandma had an abandoned well on her farm, which had always been covered by only a concrete slab. Equipped with an electric pump, it had once provided water for the house -- no penny wishes, no dipping bucket. It was a point of interest because my mother continuously warned my sister and me not to remove the cover. I marveled that she thought her four-year-old had such brute strength!

Today my interest in wells turns to the Bible, especially regarding two women: one from the Old Testament and one from the New. It was barren Sarah's doing that Hagar was pregnant, but when Hagar lorded it over her mistress, Sara demanded her departure. (See Genesis 16.)

As Hagar sat by a well (fountain) in the wilderness, did wishes march through her mind in drumming despair? Did she wish Abraham loved her? That she had displayed a humble spirit? That Sara had never suggested their arrangement in the first place? In His mercy, God sent an Angel of the Lord (the preincarnate Christ) to Hagar who commanded her to return to Sara and comforted her with news that she would have a son whose seed would become a great multitude. In gratitude, Hagar named this well Beer-lahai-roi -- "a well of the Living One who sees me" (Genesis 16:14).

Returning must have been difficult, and perhaps it was not what Hagar wished, but surely the Lord's presence quenched her misery, and His promise made the circumstances bearable.

Over two thousand years later, Jesus met a Samaritan woman by a well. (See John 4.) She, too, was an outcast, perhaps wishing for acceptance and respectability, for a way to escape her promiscuity. By visiting the well at mid-day, she avoided respectable women who gathered water in the cool of morning or evening.

So, imagine her surprise when a Jewish man not only asked her for a drink (Jews considered Samaritans as unclean.) but also identified the reason she was shunned and then offered her a drink of the Living Water. The Water that cleanses, refreshes, renews; a water that would reside in her as a "well. . . springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14).

What are your wishes today? Peace of mind? Reconciliation? A second chance? Healing? Whatever wish resides in your heart, turn to the Living One Who Sees, the Living Water. He is not a Disneyland magican who makes all your dreams come true, but He promises to never leave nor forsake you, to see you through every trial, to shield you from every temptation, to bring you safely home into His arms for all eternity.

Isn't that worth wishing for?

The Church's Place in Public School Education

Yesterday my book club had a lively discussion about Outliers: Stories of Success by Maxwell Gladwell, which included the question: Just how much should a public school system supply in the place of negligent parents?

On another note, I also lamented that Gladwell ignored how the spiritual aspect of a person's life might affect his/her personal story.

Both of these points led me to look up some information about a program I learned of a few years ago:

The National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative (NCAASI) began with Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, led by Pastor Tony Evans. Evans grew up in urban Baltimore and faced the inherent challenges of that environment. He says: "Government has spent trillions of dollars to reverse and elevate this spiral of social disintegration, yet the problems and pain grow worse with each passing day. I believe the reason for this is the separation of the spiritual from the social. There is a horrific disconnect between the role of the church on Sunday and the condition of hurting people on Monday. This changed in my own life and family when my father discovered the life-giving power of faith and began operating differently because of it. Our home became different from most of the other homes in my neighborhood because the connection had been made between the spiritual and the social." (The Vision of Dr. Tony Evans)

This church networks with the Dallas public school system and suburban community churches to create an extensive ministry out-reach to the urban families in Dallas. Also, it offers training to other churches/school districts/communities to replicate their success across the country. Their purpose is to come alongside the students and their families "by seeking holistic, long-term solutions of meeting needs in a way that changes how people think, which ultimately determines how they live." The philosophy is "not a hand out, but a hand up." (Kingdom Agenda)

They provide

• Mentoring
• Tutoring
• Life Skills and Character Education
• Sports and Recreation
• Family Support Services such as food, shelter and clothing; adult education; career development; job placement assistance; and preventive medical checks.

Making school days/year longer will not make lasting changes in the lives of students. Yes, it will give teachers more time to mentor and influence young people, as one club member so eloquently stated from his own experiences. (I can not underestimate the power of one individual to reach another -- many teachers influenced my life for the better.)

But, to me, only adding more time to the day/year, only providing breakfast, only doing whatever we can think of to do because the parents are not doing it, is a "hand out, not a hand up." I do not mean, educators all need to be Christians who evangelize and proselytize their students. I do mean that the best way to change students' lives is to address the "whole" person, and the whole community needs to be involved, and that includes the church/synagogue/mosque/temple.

Visit this video link to learn more about NCAASI .

Morning Like This

On cool spring mornings when the sun parts the dark sky, waving pink scarves over the horizon, and the dew beads on the grass as sparkling diamonds, I think of the lyrics to "Morning Like This" as Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb. How jubilant the creation must have been because the Creator had risen!

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice
To feel you again?...
Over and over like a Trumpet underground,
Did the earth seem to pound: “He is risen.”
Over and over in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”

Silver

Tonight the moon is a beauty, reminding me of a favorite poem:

Silver
Walter de la Mare

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in silver feathered sleep
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

Knowing How*

Have you ever tossed and turned through the night, unable to sleep, trying to figure out how your circumstances are going to be resolved?

Good news! We do not have to know the how's in our time of need. 2 Peter 2:9 says "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials." We do not have to have all the answers, we just need to take care of the what's.

But what if we don't even know what to do? Then do what you know: read the Bible, pray, worship, praise, seek wise counsel. These are the things all believers are called to do -- in seasons of trial and in seasons of calm.

God will take care of the rest. Determine to trust Him.

*This insight is from Beth Moore's study Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman.

Students

The year before I retired from public school teaching, God and I had a lot of talks. While I was eager to leave the bureaucracy and politics that have encroached on the creativity of both students and teachers, leaving my students was another matter.

I loved them like they were my own children, and I was going to miss interacting with them. God assured me there would be other students, and there have been. I taught summer school in 2005, thoroughly enjoying the 12 juniors who were in that class. I've been able to catch up with many former students on Facebook, and it has been so fun to learn what they are doing now.

Having spent my career at the middle and high school levels, I never thought that my heart would be captured by kindergartners, but that is exactly what happened during VBS. The week was a hectic one, but all I remember is five sweet smiles and eager faces filled with the wonder of exploring and learning. They love God, and I pray that faith will deepen as they mature, that they will walk with Jesus all the days of their lives.

God keeps His promises, and I am blessed!

Children and Kids

Sunday's vacation Bible school memory verse was 1 John 3:1 "God loves us and calls us His children."

D., one of the kindergarteners, memorized it this way: "God loves us and calls us His kids."

There is something warmly familiar in that translation, something comfortable and confident. As a little child trusts that his daddy will spend time with him, teach him, and provide for him, we, too, can place in our faith and trust in our Heavenly Daddy -- Abba Father.

Waiting

We are often reminded to "wait upon the Lord." But do we ever think about God waiting upon us?

Isaiah 30:18a says, "The Lord will wait that he may be gracious to you, and therefore he will be exalted that he may have mercy upon you. . ."

Today's devotion in the wonderful Streams in the Desert states: "God is a wise gardener 'who waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it.' He can not gather fruit until it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory."

God created time, and God uses time. While He waits for us, may we also wait for Him in the blessings and trials of our lives.

Catching Up

Where have I been for the last two months? What have I been doing?

January 18-31 finished the GKCWP newsletter, took it to the printer, picked it up, affixed address labels and mailing tabs -- my dear husband took all 100+ of them to the post office.

February 10 awoke with a strange pinching in my neck that traveled to my elbow A chiropractic adjustment and massage seemed to solve the problem.

February 12 flew to Chicago to meet some Literary Mamas and attend the American Writers and Poets conference, after which I planned on spending a few days with my sister who lives north of the Windy City.

February 13 awoke in tremendous pain -- spent the morning rearranging my flight, beseeching the hotel staff not to charge me for another night, spending an agonizing morning at the airport, wishing someone would tranquilize me during the flight home

February 14- 25 Lay in bed, on my back, studying the patterns in the textured ceiling of my bedroom.

February 26 an MRI reveals dengenerative problems in my neck. Sigh!

March 13 two cervical epidural steroid injections later, I am typing this, counting my blessings.