Vacation

Thankfully, God gave us a time to rest, and that's what I'm doing this week. See if you can guess where we are, and have a good week.

Ten of us are vacationing together from my family this week. I'll have lots of stories to share soon.

Friends

This past week I have reconnected with friends I haven't seen in years. Two couples we met for dinner on different nights. We laughed and talked over old times. We caught up on each others lives, and renewed our commitment to get together more often.
Tonight my husband and I were out walking the dog. We ran into a couple who moved to Colorado.  They were so happy to be back in Wilmore for a few days and reconnect with old friends.
The thing all these couples have in common is their Christian walk. Being around these couples was uplifting and brought me joy.
It made me want to be more like them. I want to be a vessle God can use to bring joy to others.
Thank you Jennie, David, Karen, David, Claire and Russ for challenging me. And thank you for spreading the joy of Jesus!

Lost sheep

My husband has spent days looking for the luggage carrier we secure to the top of our car when traveling with family to the beach. Days. He is one of the most organized people I know. And when something disappears it drives him nuts. I have helped look, and we've called extened family and asked them to check their garages and basements, just in case. I wish I could find it for him, he'd be so happy. I'd go out and buy a new one, wad it up and stash it somewhere just to say, "Here it is, honey." But I don't think he'd fall for it. The thing that would please him most would be to find the lost luggage carrier.

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. He shows us how tenderly God loves us and searches for us when we stray. When the shephard finds his lost sheep, he will rejoice. And Jesus tells us there will be rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. Jesus goes on to tell parables about the lost coin and prodigal son. Three stories in a row in Luke about rejoicing over a lost item or soul. Three!

As I've watched Tim agonize over this lost item, I've thought about this parable. We could buy another one. God could find another Christian to love. But he wants those who are lost. Jesus tells us that three times. What an awesome God!

Reflections on Father's Day

God blessed me with wonderful earthly fathers.
Dick Lutz is my dad. He's the duct tape that holds our family together. He's supportive of all of us and never fails to tell us he loves us.
Granddaddy Lutz was a man of few words. Before he died I asked him to sign my autograph book. He worte, "We love you. William Lutz." My grandmother asked what he wrote and he told her it was just between us.
Granddaddy Hubbard enjoyed telling us he loved us so much he wouldn't take a hundred dollars for us, no make that a thousand dollars, and he'd end with, "I wouldn't take a million dollars for you." We'd always laugh.
My husband, Tim, is a great father to our boys. He's always there for them in whatever ways they may need him to be.
My father-in-law is a gentleman in every sense of the word. He doesn't get around as much now, but when we're together the love he feels for his family shines through.

My oldest son, Bill, is now a father and so the next generation begins.

See if you can figure out who each dad is. Happy Father's Day!

Gate

One definition of gate is a moveable barrier, usually on hinges, closing an opening in a fence, wall or enclosure.  Today we added a substantial gate to our deck. As long as we have had a dog we could prop up a baby fence at the top of the stairs. But we now have a mobile grandchild and nieces and decided we needed a safer option.
I let the dogs onto the deck and they ran right to it and barked. They may think of it is a barrier to their freedom when it is for their own safety.
I'll try to remember the next time God puts a barrier in my path, that it is for my own protection.
Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

This is the view from the top of my stairs.

Sunshine today

My first daisy bloomed today, and the sun is shining. I love the view from my back deck. Neighbors walk by and speak. A couple of days ago a little girl had a birthday party. 17 little girls ended up in the field behind my yard tossing water balloons and eggs. Their laughter and screams of joy were delightful. God tells us to make a joyful noise. Ichthus continues in Wilmore today. We can hear the bands' joyful noises from our deck. Hopefully, the words of my mouth will bring joy to somebody today.

Ichthus 2011

Today is the first day of Ichthus 2011 in Wilmore, KY. I love Ichthus. Christian rock groups come and perform and speakers speak to thousands of people who have come here to worship God. There is an excitement in our town as tents have been set up and we have visitors from many different states.
I can hear the music from my back porch and at time the crowds.
And every year people give themselves to Jesus. I anticipate good things happening in the next few days!