To Whom It May Concern

To Whom It May Concern~

Five words we use when we really don't know to whom we're writing. A bit nonchalant. A trifle lackadasical. Noncommital really.

Tonight I was asked to write one of these letters so it got me thinking about the whole salutation thing and then it dawned on me that it's definitely a symptom of what our society has evolved into - unconcerned, lazy, and . . . well, you get the picture.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sitting in judgment - it's just an observation from my miniscule brain cells. Sometimes, I've been told, I really think too much. Or, I think about some nonsensical things - blow them out of proportion. Probably like I'm doing tonight in this strange blog entry.

But I digress so back to the topic. Isn't it a shame that many times we don't know to whom to address a letter or an inquiry. Some mysterious person is hiding behind obscurity. It would seem that if we don't have a real name, we then become unsure if our request or inquiry will ever get heard.

I'm so glad the God of the universe isn't hiding in anonymity. I'm delighted that He has made Himself known to me. He is Yahweh - the Creator of the Universe. He's also Abba - Father. I can call him Father! I can address him by name and his mailing address is right here, right now--past, present & future. Alpha & Omega - Beginning & the End.

". . . and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God." (I Kings 18:24b, NASB)

Thanks for enduring my bit of oddity this day. And, don't forget to call on His name. He's there--yesterday, today and forever! Amen.

Lenten Experiment - Day 40 Something!

How is it that old cliche goes? Better late than never. Ha ha ha. Well, I guess that about sums up my struggle this week with completing my commitment to my blog for Lent. Easter weekend was busy with commitments and activities despite our small family. And, as I began to reflect more on how to summarize the Lenten blog experience, I got bogged down in a quagmire of indecision and exhaustion.

Here it is Friday after Easter, 4:47 a.m. and I decided it is very important to finish what I started no matter what time it is, no matter how tired I am, and no matter whether I finish successfully or not (at least in my own limited mindscape).

I've felt for some time that the summation of 40 days of thoughts might be a bit daunting task to undertake. And, frankly, I may ruminate over this thing a bit more before I get it all down on cyber-paper. The 40 days of Lent have revealed much to me about wonder, family, life, death, God's work in this world and in my life and many other things.

To begin, I need to share a list of words that summarize this recent learning experience.

Life

Death

Family

Contemplation

Understanding

Darkness

Light

Chosen

Joyful

Hope

Blessings

Faith

Listening

Peace

Observation

Friends

Encouragement

Persevere

Prayer

Penitence

Giving

Self-Denial

Last night I watched another Skit Guys video on YouTube and it spoke to me in a deep way because as I tallied up the list of words that capsulized the Lenten Experiment, I realized those words represented something much more. While, just words, they are qualities, attitudes, ideas, and thoughts that have indeed enriched and shaped my existence. Simply put, they have been tools in God's hands - tools to mold me into something new; someone new.

So, watch God's Chisel from the Skit Guys and let it shape your thoughts, your heart, your life. Only as we submit to God's work in our life, can we truly grow and develop and become more like Him. We are God's masterpiece!

Lenten Experiment - Day 35 (Make a Joyful Noise!)

Make a Joyful Noise! And, that's just what Brinna and her friends from church did today for the kick-off of Holy Week or as more are familiar with--Palm Sunday. This photo was taken at their last practice on Saturday. So fun - the waving of the sparklies. Later they waved palm leaves as well. The innocence and purity of children is wondrous. It was so evident in the kids' performance as they led the whole worship service in song and in story, preparing our hearts for Easter.

Proud Momma moments for me as Brinna performed her solo and then later shared her speaking part.

With Holy Week now upon us, I need to commit myself more to prayer each day - it is so vital to increase my faith and acknowledge His hand in my life, every little corner of it.

Make a joyful noise - every day this week!

Lenten Experiment - Day 26 (Campin' on the Porch of Indecision)

On the way home tonight from work as I manhandled the big diesel Dodge Ram through blinding rain and my daily dose of whirlwinds, I had plenty of time to formulate today's blog entry. A few random thoughts even fluttered around during my work day--teasing me. It was supposed to be about discernment, hearing God's voice or not hearing it as the case may be.

I had big plans to research that word "discernment" and then somehow make sense of it in my daily prayer life. You see, for some time, wisdom and discernment have been at the center of my prayers for each of my family members. I've made a point of saying those words over and over again, every day. And, I felt it was about time to analyze on some level this idea of discernment and what it all meant for me and for them. I even did some on-line research, finding lots of good words on the idea of discernment, perception, wisdom, etc.

Then, I turned up the radio and heard one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists. Why is it that songs seem to speak such truth? It kind of reminds me of the movie August Rush --only it wasn't words that made the difference, it was the music he heard in traffic, in all the sounds around him, in virtually everything--he found meaning. The sounds marched into music which, in turn, evolved into his way to connect with others. And, isn't that really the discerning part of life? Now, stay with me here.

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Look at some of the words from To Know You. "I'm awake with questions that won't wait for daylight, separating fact from my imaginary fiction." "I need to find a place where you and I come face to face." "I really want to know You." "I want to make each day a different way that I can show You how." "I really want to love You." "I'm just tryin' to figure out Your will." "No more campin' on the porch of indecision." "No more sleepin' under stars of apathy." "Dreamin's not for me." "And I really want to know You still."

"To Know You" by Nichole Nordeman--Its haunting melody and lyrics speak to a desire, a yearning, a struggle--to know more, to love more, to overcome doubts, to "get on with life." Am I really ready for that? I surely, surely hope so. And, I'll faithfully keep praying my family is too!