Excitement, what a strange feeling for me. I really can't remember the last time that I was excited about something. Pretty much the last two years have been fear, anxiety, and dread. I have had to prepare myself for so many sad and scary situations over and over again. I AM SOOOOO EXCITED right now for Myles. We will find out today if he has made Varsity Golf! No one can remember the last time a freshman qualified for Varsity. That in itself is amazing but what is even more unbelievable is what Myles has had to do to get there. I can still hear in the back of my head when they couldn't find a pulse in buggies arm "He might lose his arm" the doctor said. Completely recreating his hands with graphs, torturing physical therapy to avoid cantractions in his fingers, wrist, and elbows, hemophilia bleeds in his elbows which caused loss of range of motion. Holy cow!!!!!!!!! And here he is qualifying for VARSITY! This last week has been so memorable for me as buggies and I had fun. Fun is not something I have been able to do with my son in a long time. It's usually: Myles you need your shots, do your homework, keep ice on that, don't do this, don't do that. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! God I love my son. He deserves something great, for enduring, striving (physically and emotionally) and always being so accepting for all that this life has given him. Not to many people could even comprehend the pain you have been through in the last two years to get where you are today. I'm so proud, I want to tell the world................You go bugs!
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He’s Been There
Friday, March 06, 2009
He had to enter into every detail of human life.
Hebrews 2:17 MSG
You’ve barely dipped a toe into Matthew’s gospel when you realize Jesus hails from the Tilted-Halo Society. Rahab was a Jericho harlot. Grandpa Jacob was slippery enough to warrant an electric ankle bracelet. David had a personality as irregular as a Picasso painting- one day writing psalms, another day seducing his captain’s wife. But did Jesus erase his name from the list? Not at all…
Why did Jesus hang his family’s dirty laundry on the neighborhood clothesline?
Because your family has some too. The dad who never came home. The grandparent who ran away with the coworker. If your family tree has bruised fruit, then Jesus wants you to know, “I’ve been there.”
The phrase “I’ve been there” is in the chorus of Christ’s theme song. To the lonely, Jesus whispers, “I’ve been there.” To the discouraged, Christ nods his head and sighs, “I’ve been there.”
Hey Myles!! Those pictures are really hard to look at! It's hard, for me, but can't imagine what you went through. You're an awesome kid Myles. God has BIG BIG plans for you! We're proud of you! Hope you make the team, Your Pop Pop in heaven I'm sure is enjoying watching your success in Golf. Much love and continued prayers to YOU and your family! We love you! Aunt k8
God Has No Limitations
Saturday, March 07, 2009
“Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?”
Psalm 139:7
You and I are governed. The weather determines what we wear. The terrain tells us how to travel. Gravity dictates our speed, and health determines our strength. We may challenge these forces and alter them slightly, but we never remove them.
God—our Shepherd—doesn’t check the weather; he makes it. He doesn’t defy gravity; he created it. He isn’t affected by health; he has no body. Jesus said, “God is spirit” (John 4:24). Since he has no body, he has no limitations—equally active in Cambodia as he is in Connecticut.
“Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?” asked David. “Where can I run from you? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I lie down in the grave, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8).
Myles congratulations on making the golf team. We are all very very proud of you. Much love and continued prayers!! ~k8
The Pioneer of Salvation
Monday, March 09, 2009
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
The one to whom we pray knows our feelings. He knows temptation. He has felt discouraged. He has been hungry and sleepy and tired. He knows what we feel like when the alarm clock goes off. He knows what we feel like when our children want different things at the same time. He nods in understanding when we pray in anger. He is touched when we tell him there is more to do than can ever be done. He smiles when we confess our weariness.
He wants us to remember that he, too, was human. He wants us to know that he, too, knew the drone of the humdrum and the weariness that comes with the long days. He wants us to remember that our trailblazer didn’t wear bulletproof vests or rubber gloves or an impenetrable suit of armor. No, he pioneered our salvation through the world that you and I face daily.
HEY!! We're finally feeling spring. Yeah warm winds! Sweet. Hope all is good, and you're enjoying LIFE and especially LOVE. Aunt k8
Redefining Prayer
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 NKJV
Early Christians were urged to
“pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17 NASB);
“always be prayerful” (Rom. 12:12 NLT);
“pray at all times and on every occasion” (Eph. 6:18 NLT).
Sound burdensome? Are you wondering, my business needs attention, my children need dinner, my bills need paying. How can I stay in a place of prayer?
Do this. Change your definition of prayer. Think of prayer less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge his presence everywhere you go. As you stand in line to register your car, think, Thank you, Lord, for being here. In the grocery as you shop, Your presence, my King, I welcome. As you wash the dishes, worship your Maker.
Hey Myles . . . so . . .how's the team,what is the progress you're making. When is your first match?? Much love and continued prayers. ~Aunt K8
God’s Testimony
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 19:7 NKJV
A small seed becoming a towering tree. A thin stalk pushing back the earth. A rainbow arching in the midst of the thundercloud…
“God’s testimony,” wrote David, “makes wise the simple.”
God’s testimony. When was the last time you witnessed it? A stroll through knee-high grass in a green meadow. An hour listening to seagulls or looking at seashells on the beach. Or witnessing the shafts of sunlight brighten the snow on a crisp winter dawn…
There comes a time when we should lay down our pens and commentaries and step out of our offices and libraries. To really understand and believe in the miracle on the cross, we’d do well to witness God’s miracles every day.
Been away for a couple of days, long weekend. Off to Johns Hopkins . Losing hearing in my right ear, vision in my right eye. CRAZINESS!! Anyway, it's a wait wait wait, and we'll see kind of situation, so keep me in your prayers. You are loved, hope all is well!! ~Aunt k8
Love Makes the Difference
Friday, March 20, 2009
“The person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.”
Luke 7:47
We can replace the word forgiven with accepted and maintain the integrity of the passage. “He who is accepted little loves little.” If we think God is harsh and unfair, guess how we’ll treat people. Harshly and unfairly. But if we discover that God has doused us with unconditional love, would that make a difference?
The apostle Paul would say so! Talk about a turnaround. He went from bully to teddy bear. Paul B.C. (Before Christ) sizzled with anger. He “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:3 NKJV). Paul A.D. (After Discovery) brimmed with love…
His accusers beat him, stoned him, jailed him, mocked him. But can you find one occasion where he responded in kind? One temper tantrum? One angry outburst? This is a different man. His anger is gone. His passion in strong. His devotion is unquestioned. But rash outbursts of anger? A thing of the past.
What made the difference? He encountered Christ.
Hey . . . HAPPY SPRING!! Thank God for the warm weather. Love it!! Heading to VA Beach for a run .. . hope the weather is good for a long run. Much love and continued prayers for all!! ~Aunt k8
What Is Grace?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
“My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
What is grace? It’s what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says that when we come, he gives. That’s what grace is…
Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you’d never turn down.
You know what happens when someone sees the grace of God? When someone really tastes the forgiving and liberating grace of God? Some one who tastes God’s grace is the hardest worker, the most morally pure individual, and the person most willing to forgive.
I love this devotion . . . nothing better than to forgive! Much love and continued prayers! ~Aunt k8
Reliability
Friday, March 27, 2009
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”
Luke 16:10 NKJV
There is a common denominator in any form of greatness—reliability.
It’s the bread and butter characteristic of achievement. It’s the shared ingredient behind retirement pens, Hall of Fame awards, and golden anniversaries. It is the quality that produces not momentary heroics but monumental lives.
The Bible has its share…Consistent and predictable, these saints were spurred by a gut-level conviction that they had been called by no one less than God himself. As a result, their work wasn’t affected by moods, cloudy days, or rocky trails. Their performance graph didn’t rise and fall with roller-coaster irregularity. They weren’t addicted to accolades or applause nor deterred by grumpy bosses or empty wallets…And since their loyalty was not determined by their comfort, they were just as faithful in dark prisons as they were in spotlighted pulpits.
HEY all . . .lots and lots of rain overy the last 24 hours. Sunny now, and now i'm heading out to hit the pavement. Much love and continued prayers to ALL!! ~k8
Love the Overlooked
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
“Put on the apron of humility, to serve one another.”
I Peter 5:5 TEV
Servanthood requires no unique skill or seminary degree. Regardless of your strengths, training, or church tenure, you can…love the overlooked.
Jesus sits in your classroom, wearing the thick glasses, outdated clothing, and a sad face. You’ve seen him. He’s Jesus.
Jesus works in your office. Pregnant again, she shows up to work late a tired. No one knows the father. According to water-cooler rumors, even she doesn’t know the father. You’ve seen her. She’s Jesus.
When you talk to the lonely student, befriend the weary mom, you love Jesus. He dressed in the garb of the overlooked and ignored. “Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40 MSG).
HEY . . . we're moving this week. Hope all is well! Much love and continued prayers to ALLLLLL!!
A Man of Sorrows
Thursday, April 02, 2009
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
Isaiah 53:3 NKJV
The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night…
See that solitary figure?...Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?
That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane…
We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see a “man of sorrows.” We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.
See God like this does wonders for our own suffering. God was never more human than at this hour. God was never nearer to us than when he hurt. The Incarnation was never so fulfilled as in the garden
MOVING this week . .. I'll post some pictures on the book. I love you all very much! Aunt k8
Patience Freely Offered
Friday, April 03, 2009
The Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience.
Galatians 5:22
If you find patience hard to give, you might ask this question. How infiltrated are you with God’s patience? You’ve heard about it. Read about it. Perhaps underlined Bible passages regarding it. But have you received it? The proof is in your patience. Patience deeply received results in patience freely offered…
God does more than demand patience from us; he offers it to us. Patience is a fruit of his Spirit. It hangs from the tree of Galatians 5:22; “The Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience.” Have you asked God to give you some fruit? Well I did once, but…But what? Did you, h’m, grow impatient? Ask him again and again and again. He won’t grow impatient with your pleading, and you will receive patience in your praying.
TODAY . . .is moving day!! No internet in our neighborhood yet . .. I'll continue to pray, and send you notes from work. YOU are loved! Aunt k8
He Walked Among Us
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15
When God chose to reveal himself, he did so (surprise of surprises) through a human body. The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears…oh, don’t miss the tears…they came from a heart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.”
So, people came to him. My, how they came to him! They came at night; they touched him as he walked down the street; they followed him around the sea; they invited him into their homes and placed their children at his feet. Why? Because he refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose instead to be Jesus.
Have just moved. Internet is hit or miss. So right now, it's a hit . . .so here's a great devotion. I'll post pictures of the new house soon. Much love and continued prayers! Aunt k8
A Plea for Help
Saturday, April 25, 2009
“We are getting what we deserve. This man has done nothing wrong.”
Luke 23:41 TLB
We are guilty and he is innocent.
We are filthy and he is pure.
We are wrong and he is right.
He is not on that cross for his sin. He is there for ours.
And once the crook understands this, his request seems only natural. As he looks into the eyes of his last hope, he makes the same request any Christian has made: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 TLB).
No stained-glass homilies. No excuses. Just a desperate plea for help.
At this point Jesus performs the greatest miracle of the cross. Greater than the earthquake. Greater than the temple curtain. . .
He performs the miracle of forgiveness: “Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.” (Luke 23:43 TLB).
WOW it has been forever, We've moved, don't have internet yet, so it's hit or miss. . . .this just happens to be a hit . . hope all is well, much love, continued prayers!! ~Aunt k8
A Hardy Faith
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life.”
Luke 15:10
Our faith is not in religion; our faith is in God. A hardy, daring faith that believes God will do what is right, every time. And that God will do what it takes—whatever it takes—to bring His children home.
He is the shepherd in search of his lamb. His legs are scratched, his feet are sore and his eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups his hands to his mouth and calls into the canyon.
And the name he calls is yours.
He is the housewife in search of the lost coin. No matter that he has nine others, he won’t rest until he has found the tenth. He searches the house. He moves furniture…All other tasks can wait. Only one matters. The coin is of great value to him. He owns it. He will not stop until he finds it.
The coin he seeks is you.
HEY Myles!! Haven't written in a while. Hope all is well. Hope you are well! Much love love love to you all!! ~k8
Jesus Honors You
Monday, June 01, 2009
“It is good to…sing praises to Your name…to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning.”
Psalm 92: 1-2 NKJV
Listen closely. Jesus’ love does not depend upon what we do for him. Not at all. In the eyes of the King, you have value simply because you are. You don’t have to look nice or perform well. Your value is inborn.
Period.
Think about that for just a minute. You are valuable just because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. Remember that next time you are left bobbing in the wake of someone’s steamboat ambition. Remember that the next time some trickster tries to hang a bargain basement price tag on your self-worth. The next time someone tries to pass you off as a cheap buy, just think about the way Jesus honors you…and smile.
I do. I smile because I know I don’t deserve love like that. None of us do.
Happy June Myles, I love you and am praying for you . . .without ceasing!! Aunt k8
The Flagship of Patience
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
“Love is patient.”
I Corinthians 13:4
Paul presents patience as the premier expression of love. Positioned at the head of the apostle’s Love Armada—a boat-length or two in front of kindness, courtesy, and forgiveness—the flagship known as patience. “Love is patient.”
The Greek word used here for patience is a descriptive one. It figuratively means “taking a long time to boil.” Think about a pot of boiling water. What factors determine the speed at which it boils? The size of the stove? No. The pot? The utensil may have an influence, but the primary factor is the intensity of the flame. Water boils quickly when the flame is high. It boils slowly when the flame is low. Patience “keeps the burner down.”
Helpful clarification, don’t you think? Patience isn’t naïve. It doesn’t ignore misbehavior. It just keeps the flame low. It waits. It listens. It’s slow to boil. This is how God treats us. And, according to Jesus, this is how we should treat others.
Praying for your healing Myles. Hope today is a better day. Much love to you!! Aunt k8
The Price of Self-Obsession
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
“I am the LORD. There is no other God.”
Isaiah 45:18
We pay a high price for…self-obsession. “God isn’t pleased at being ignored” (Rom. 8:8 MSG). Paul speaks of sinners when he describes those who “knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God…So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired” (Rom. 1:21, 24 NASB).
You’ve seen the chaos. The husband ignoring his wife. The dictator murdering the millions. Grown men seducing the young. The young propositioning the old. When you do what you want, and I do what I want, and no one gives a lick as to what God wants, humanity implodes. The infection of the person leads to the corruption of the populace…
Extract God; expect earthly chaos and, many times worse, expect eternal misery.
Really hope you are beginning to feel better. Lots and lots of prayers are coming your way Myles!! We love you!
Taking Inventory
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
“Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”
I Corinthians 3:18
All believers have God in their heart. But not all believers have given their whole heart to God. Remember, the question is not, how can I have more of the Spirit? But rather, how can the Spirit have more of me? Take inventory. As you look around your life, do you see any resistant pockets?...Go down the list…
Your tongue. Do you tend to stretch the truth? Puff up the facts? Your language? Is your language a sewer of profanities and foul talk? And grudges? Do you keep resentments parked in your “garudge”? Are you unproductive and lazy? Do you live off the system, assuming that the church or the country should take care of you?...
Do your actions interrupt the flow of the Spirit in you life?
Hope you're well, and getting better and better everyday. Much love and continued prayers to all! ~aunt k8
The Clothing of the Cross
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”
I Peter 2:24 NIV
When Christ was nailed to the cross, he took off his robe of seamless perfection and assumed a different wardrobe, the wardrobe of indignity.
The indignity of nakedness. Stripped before his own mother and loved ones. Shamed before his family.
The indignity of failure. For a few pain-filled hours, the religious leaders were the victors, and Christ appeared the loser. Shamed before his accusers.
Worst of all, he wore the indignity of sin. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”
The clothing of Christ on the cross? Sin—yours and mine. The sins of all humanity.
And that . . .is the Gospel!! Amen and Amen
Hey I dont know if you will even read this but its taylor martin.
I just wanted to let you know that i miss you guys and i miss hanging out with you. I miss sherry's cooking!!! lol Im really happy you'r doing great myles. Hope to see you soon!!!
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