Sparkling Water

I was reading early Monday morning about the Israelites approach to the Red Sea in their exodus from Egyptian rule. Here are thousands of people who just witnessed miracles upon miracles that have proven God's power. In a short time, they have seen more than some will in their entire lifetime. Yet there was sparkling waters ahead.

The sparkles on the waters are beautiful when you can enjoy it, when you can relish in the sound of the crashing waves, the mist spraying off the rocks, the breeze that takes hold of your soul. But to the Isrealites, I don't think the sparkles held this meaning. They, as well as Moses, were aware of the path they were traveling. It was a path towards their seemingly biggest challenge yet, a dead end at the sea's shoreline. If only I could hear the thoughts in Moses head and to hear the response of the Lord too, I would imagine them going like this,  "This is pure craziness God! (To you, but to me it's perfect!) You want me to lead these people (Yes.) to a place that has no exit? (Not an exit that you see, but yes. I do want you to do that.) Through narrow, dangerous passage ways (I'll hold you up) to the shore line? (Absolutely. I've got a surprise;) ) I'm trusting you on this Lord (good) because the other option is captivity and death (Keep trusting)." So the masses continued  toward the sparkling waters. Fully aware. Many angry. Many untrusting. But the God of wonders proved glorious! The waters parted and a way was made for the people to pass through.

Coming across a pack of coyotes is always fun

Imagine with me. You see five coyotes come up over the peak of a mountain and are headed your way. You are about the length of a football field away. You can't hide, it's a mountain top in the desert - there are only cactus about 1 foot or less tall surrounding you.  You can't dart off the trail because the likelihood of more wild animals (i.e. poisonous snakes) increases. But there is no where to escape except the trail you just came from. Oh, and you're alone. What do you do?

When the Saints

My mother recently gave me the Freedom: Artists United for the International Justice Mission CD and I have been playing it on repeat for days. One song on the CD is resonating in my head. When the Saints by Sara Groves. I listen to the words about the passionate people who've gone before me and I can't help but agree with her lyrics "And when the saints go marching in. I want to be one of them." 

Take a moment to listen.

Shock.

I drove to work this morning as any normal work day. My mind was preparing for a meeting later today with the entire company about team building. The owner of my company, Sherri May, was supposed to come in and lead the meeting.

Just before 8:30am, instead of Sherri walking in with a bright smile stopping at every desk to say good morning to us individually, her husband Jim walked in. He gathered us all together in the conference room and broke the tragic news. Sherri was in a tragic car accident, and while in the emergency surgery it caused she passed away.

We are not forgotten.

I have lived in the shadow of a certain fear for more time than I really care for. It is a fear that I think many people struggle with in their own ways and to varying degrees. And maybe for me it is really multiple fears rolled into one.

“Be yourself, because everyone else is taken”
~ Oscar Wilde.

Repurposed Planter

Ooooh. I love re-purposeing things! And since I live in an apartment and can't garden otherwise, this is a perfect solution for me. I want to try this.

How to Turn a Pallet into a Garden

images via lifeonthebalcony.com