Suspended Easter

I remember when our oldest daughter, Annlyn, who is now eight years old, was around age four. She was curious and inquisitive - and still is. She would ask about days and often would ask if “today was a special day.” Now, admittedly, for a four year-old, a special day is any day that includes time on a playground or a trip to get ice cream. We would tell her that every day is a special day because every day is a day made by God. Then she began to differentiate. She began to see that there are some days that are more special than others. Though every day is created by God, there are some days that hold a little more oomph to them, a bit more brightness than usual. Birthdays for example fall into this category. A day when we celebrate the life God has given us and ask for God’s grace to use it in ways that will bring glory to God.

Interrupted....

I don’t know about you, but Ronna and I like to make plans. We plan out our days and weeks and even make plans for the year. We plan our weekly menus for supper and make plans for vacations and times to be together as a family.  We need plans – I think it is a good thing to plan. But what about when our plans for awry? What about when our plans are interrupted and we are left with a completely different situation than what we planned?

Interruptions like this can be devastating. Crippling. Not only do these kinds of interruptions derail our plans, they can actually derail our souls. Standing here today, February 8, 2018, marks ten years since the biggest interruption of my life. And to be honest, I am still not sure what to make of it. It was ten years ago this morning that the plans of my family were thrown off-course in such a way that it left an indelible mark on our souls. In a surprising interruption, my mom and dad stepped from life on the earth to a life beyond the earth. They died. It was the worst day of my life and the life of my brothers and sister and all the grandchildren.

Firsts in Faith

I have seen a lot of firsts. I remember the first time the keys to the car were tossed to me and I went to see my friends. I remember the first time I played a trumpet solo in middle school band. There was my first time to the beach, first visit to Tweetsie Railroad, first cup of coffee, and the first time I went swimming without “floaties.”

Learning to Sing....

This is one of those times when I wish there was a recording for you to hear. After all, God created us with five bodily senses through which we experience, appreciate, and live life. It would be much more effective if you could hear what I am about to describe to you for the sound of it has been one of joy, wonder, worship, and innocence.

Learning to Walk

I simply forgot how wonderful it was. Walking that is. Over the last several months, admittedly, I slipped out of the routine and habit of taking a morning walk after taking the kids to daycare. There was one morning when the rain was coming down and I decided not to walk in the rain. Then, the next morning I was running late and had somewhere to be so I did not walk. I arose the third day with intentions of walking but the plan was derailed before even leaving the house. By the fourth day, the train of thought was, “Andrew, you have not walked all week, why start back now?”