A Day to Celebrate

Today is my friend Jimmy's birthday. I miss him terribly. I think about him everyday. I pray for his wife and boys a whole lot. I celebrate today for being the wonderful day that God blessed this earth with one amazing human being. I only wish I had known him longer. He left a wonderful mark on my life. Thank you God for placing him in my life and for the things he shared with me and taught me. Jimmy you will never be forgotten and I can't wait to see you again! Have fun enjoying your new home; I bet the fishing is amazing.

Misunderstood Manners or Mighty Meaning?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony tomb. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!" Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done". But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

He is Coming Back!!

Honor Your Father and Mother

I believe that God gives us all that we need (and usually much more.) The "much more" concept is so evident in my life. Specifically speaking, I have been blessed with exceptional parents. I realize that this is one heck of a treasure. I know that not everyone has a strong family. I am not boasting about mine, but I am expressing my thankful joy and unending gratitude for the One who blessed my life with them. I have two of the best parents on the planet. They are amazing people each in their own way. Which, by the way, are TOTALLY different ways.

My dad is bold, strong, wise, and a Godly man. He is incredibly well-versed in God's Word. He is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and he will be the first to admit that. He has flaws, quirks, and oddities. But so do I and so do you. He has a heart for people and for sharing Christ. He makes no apologies or excuses for either. The man can talk. A lot. Many of you know this well. He is a talker. He's got a lot of great things to say, if you take the time to listen you can certainly learn something! He is a strong leader. He has a passion for the Church and for building up Godly men and Godly leaders. He is kind, caring, and gentle when needed. He's loved me when I was totally unlovable. He's granted me grace when I least deserved it. He's been a friend, mentor, buddy, and a teacher. And most importantly right now, he is both the adorer and the adored in my little one's life. She LOVES her Paw-Paw! And it is a love that is returned ten-fold. They are a lot alike. He is a GREAT dad and an awesome Paw-Paw. Since Gracyn doesn't have a father of her own, He has been an above-and-beyond Godly man in her life. I couldn't ask for more!

My mom is quiet. My mom is sensitive. She loves her family passionately. She has a gentle spirit, but treat those she loves wrongly and she is FIERCE! She gives so much...but quietly so. She helps me in more ways than I could possibly list. She is always thinking of ways to help her family. She is perhaps the most forgiving lady that I know. She gets hurt easily, but forgives just as easily. My dad is thankful for that...well, we all are thankful for that! My mom is strong in a way that isn't in your face. It is a behind the scenes, low-key, quiet strength. She serves her family in ways we often overlook and certainly under appreciate because she does them so consistently, routinely, and quietly. She is a true servant. She serves like Christ served: without needing "credit" or recognition. Her ways are ways of service and love. But they do not go unnoticed by me, I just need to be as consistent with my thanks and gratitude. She is an amazing woman. She is SO great with Gracyn. I do not know what I would do without her help, advice, and guidance. She is my angel for sure! Gracyn is always telling me how sweet "Grum-ma" is...and she is right. She is one of a kind!

So today, on no special occasion, I honor my father and mother by sharing with you guys how amazing each of them are individually. Together as a married couple and as parents they are a powerhouse. I am blessed and honored to be their daughter and friend. I am doubly blessed to share them with my daughter. Our circumstances are different than most right now and each of us are immeasurably blessed by it. Thank you God, for taking my mistakes and turning them into blessings that we all can share at this time in our lives.

I love you Father God, and I love you Mom and Dad, much more than these words could ever express.